In a significant development, a New Jersey businessman has admitted to attempting to bribe Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) with a Mercedez-Benz in exchange for political influence in the extensive corruption case.
Jose Uribe pleaded guilty in federal court in New York on Friday to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion, according to court documents.
It’s uncertain what agreement Uribe may have made with the government, but his plea could increase Menendez’s legal troubles as he vows to challenge his charges and stay in the Senate.
Uribe faced initial indictments on two charges in the autumn, with an additional five charges revealed in his recent plea.
Uribe was initially accused of assisting in obtaining a Mercedes-Benz convertible for Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, in return for Menendez’s assistance in obstructing a criminal investigation into the businessman by New Jersey’s attorney general.
Menendez and his spouse have entered a plea of not guilty to four charges each.
Menendez’s own trial in the matter is set to begin on May 6.
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