US federal judge slams retrial bid, affirms former pro-Armenian senator's wife guilty on all counts Nadine Arslanian sentenced to prison

The US-based Courthouse News Service has published an in-depth article detailing the corruption scandal involving former Armenianophile US Senator Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian. Caliber.Az offers its readers an adapted version of the piece.

A federal judge decisively rejected Nadine Menendez’s request for a new trial, ruling that the evidence supporting her conviction was “more than sufficient” for the jury to find her guilty on all charges stemming from a sprawling international bribery scheme involving her and her husband, former Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

In a detailed 51-page order, US District Judge Sidney Stein underscored that Nadine Menendez’s convictions were “fully supported by the extensive witness testimony and documentary evidence” presented throughout the three-week trial earlier this year.

“In addition, defendant has not identified any injustice — let alone a manifest injustice — requiring a new trial,” the Bill Clinton appointee declared.

Last month, Nadine Menendez sought to have her guilty verdict overturned, contending that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient. She also alleged prosecutorial misconduct, claiming that prosecutors improperly pressured her to replace her longtime attorney, David Schertler, by suggesting they might call him as a witness—a scenario that ultimately did not transpire at trial.

Judge Stein, however, dismissed this Sixth Amendment claim, emphasizing that Nadine Menendez raised the issue belatedly, more than a year after she initially decided to replace Schertler. Citing Supreme Court precedent, Stein noted that the “essential aim” of the Sixth Amendment is to "guarantee an effective advocate for each criminal defendant rather than to ensure that a defendant will inexorably be represented by the lawyer whom he prefers."

“At no point prior to the present motion … had defendant expressed any desire whatsoever to re-engage Schertler or his firm,” Stein wrote. “She did not inquire why Schertler’s name did not appear on the government’s witness list at any point prior to or during her trial, nor did she lodge any objection when the case was submitted to the jury and the government had not called Schertler…”

In a statement to Courthouse News, Nadine Menendez’s attorney indicated plans to appeal the ruling. “While we are disappointed in the court’s decision, we look forward to raising these issues, particularly the 6th Amendment violation, with the Second Circuit,” said Sarah Krissoff of Cozen O'Connor. “The government violated Menendez’s fundamental constitutional right to counsel, and we are confident that the Second Circuit will engage with this issue.”

Despite the setback, Nadine Menendez won a minor but anticipated victory when Judge Stein found her convictions on counts one and 15—conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent—multiplicitous. The judge ruled she would be sentenced on only one of the two counts, applying the same reasoning to Robert Menendez and the other defendants.

Originally charged in 2023, Robert and Nadine Menendez faced allegations of accepting bribes from New Jersey businessmen and an Egyptian government official in exchange for the former senator’s political influence. Robert Menendez, who resigned amid the federal charges, had served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was the highest-ranking Latino member of Congress.

Federal investigators uncovered an array of lavish bribes at the couple’s New Jersey residence, including solid gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and thousands of dollars in cash—much of it concealed in clothing inscribed with the senator’s name.

Robert Menendez and two co-defendants were convicted last year. The former senator received an 11-year prison sentence and, prior to surrendering, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the justice system in an apparent bid to appeal to President Donald Trump, who has famously made similar claims.

Due to Nadine Menendez’s breast cancer diagnosis, she was tried separately earlier this year. Her trial attracted considerably less public attention than her husband’s and she frequently sat alone during court breaks. The prosecution presented largely the same evidence as in Robert Menendez’s case.

Robert Menendez did not appear during his wife’s criminal proceedings.

After roughly eight hours of jury deliberations, Nadine Menendez was found guilty on all 15 counts, including bribery, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. She is scheduled for sentencing on September 11.

By Vafa Guliyeva