Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is expected to blame his wife during his federal corruption trial as part of a defense strategy. (Getty Images)
In the court filing, attorneys imply that the Democratic senator will introduce evidence showing he was unaware of the allegedly illegal activities. The lawyers say Menendez may testify about communications with his wife that could exonerate him but may implicate Nadine, who allegedly withheld information from her husband.
"At trial, as part of his defense, Senator Menendez may elect to testify to communications with his wife that serve to materially decrease any inference of culpability on Senator Menendez’s part," the document states.
"Senator Menendez will explain, for example, what he and his wife discussed contemporaneously with their dinners with Egyptian officials (which colored his understanding of the purpose of such dinners); the explanations that Nadine provided for why [co-defendants Wael Hanna and Jose Uribe] had provided her certain monetary items; the reasons why he sent his wife a series of questions that other Senators purportedly intended to ask an Egyptian official; and many more topics."
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and his wife, Nadine Menendez, arrive at the federal courthouse in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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The senator's trial is scheduled to begin on May 6, while his wife's is planned for July 8.
Fox News Digital's Pilar Arias and Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
Andrea Vacchiano is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. You can follow her on X at @andrea_vacch or send story tips to andrea.vacchiano@fox.com.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sen-bob-menendez-may-blame-wife-nadine-federal-corruption-trial-court-docs