Bob Menendez Seeks New Trial After Evidence Mishandling in Bribery Case

Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is seeking a new trial after a recent revelation regarding improper evidence handling during his bribery trial.

Menendez’s defense team filed a motion in Manhattan federal court arguing that the government’s failure to remove certain redactions from trial exhibits, which were then mistakenly shown to jurors, undermines the fairness of his conviction.

Menendez, convicted of 16 charges, including bribery related to military aid to Egypt, was forced to resign from the Senate in August following the verdict.

The defense claims that the incorrect exhibits, particularly those involving military aid to Egypt, were central to the bribery charges against Menendez, and the error severely prejudices his case.

The prosecution acknowledged the mistake but argued that no action was needed, citing the defense’s prior approval of the laptop containing the evidence. However, Menendez’s lawyers criticized the prosecution’s claim, asserting that the defense was under significant time constraints and had no reason to expect the mislabeled evidence.

Menendez is scheduled for sentencing on January 29, but the defense is pushing for the case to be retried due to what they describe as a significant breach of protocol.

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