Menendez jury saw improper evidence
Prosecutors say verdict still right
By: Luc Cohen
Reuters
NEW YORK - The jury that convinced Bob Menendez of corruption was allowed to review improper evidence during deliberations, but the error does not justify overturning the former New Jersey senator's conviction, U.S. prosecutor said Wednesday. [11/13/2024]
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Menendez, 70, resigned form the U.S. Senate in August [2024 after a jury in Manhattan federal court found him guilty of selling his power in exchange for hundreds for thousands of dollars in bribes, including gold bars and cash.
..... The once-influential Democrat pleaded not guilty and has vowed to appeal.
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In a court filing, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan, said nine pieces of evidence jurors use while deliberating display material that should have been redacted. The prosecutors said defense lawyers did not notice the mistake, either, and that the material likely did not affect the verdict.
..... "No action need be taken in light of the error," the prosecutors wrote in a letter to U.S. district Judge Sidney Stein. "The evidence of guilt in this case was overwhelming."
..... Menendez's lawyers did not immediately respond to request for comment.
..... The former senator was convicted on all 16 counts he faced, which included illegally action as an agent of the Egyptian government, obstruction of justice, wire fraud and extortion.
..... Jurors needed three days to reach a verdict, after a nine-week trial.
..... Menendez represented New Jersey and served as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is scheduled to be sentence on January 25 [2025] and could face decades behind bars.
..... New Jersey voters elected Democrat Andy Kim last week [11/05/2024] to become the stat's junior senator.