A New Jersey businessman and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) co-defendant pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges Friday.
Jose Uribe, a former insurance broker, is accused of bribing Menendez’s wife, Natalie Menendez, with a Mercedes Benz in exchange for the senator to negotiate in an insurance fraud investigation.
Uribe pleaded guilty to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, and honest services wire fraud. He admitted to giving the car to Mrs. Menendez.
“Are you happy?” Uribe allegedly texted Nadine Menendez after purchasing the Mercedes-Benz, according to a Politico report. She said, “I will never forget this.” Prosecutors say the car was one of the first bribes involved in a yearslong bribery scheme.
As a part of his plea deal, Uribe agreed to fully cooperate with prosecutors in the investigation. The agreement states that Uribe will “truthfully and completely disclose all information with respect to the activities of himself and others concerning all matters about which this office inquires of him.”
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Uribe faces up to 95 years in prison, a sentence that will likely be lessened with cooperation and testifying against other co-defendants. He also agreed to forfeit $246,000, which represents the traceable proceeds of his crimes.
Sen. Menendez, his wife, and the three remaining co-defendants have all pleaded not guilty. Menendez has rejected calls from fellow Democrats to step down from his position. The senator’s trial is scheduled to begin in May.
