SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 2– Amid reports of investigation against Sen. Robert Menendez for taking gold bars, Inner City Press' sources on September 21 it to expect on Friday, September 22 an appearance in Federal court in Manhattan by Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian. This scoop was true.
Later a superseder was unveiled, including charges of bribes to act for Qatar...
On April 11, 2024 after Nadine Menendez and then the government asked for delay, to July or undefined, Judge Stein severed her case and reaffirmed May 6, Inner City Press thread:
All rise! Judge Sidney Stein: I have request for adjournment of the trial, which is set for May 6. Let's handle that first. It was sparked by a medical issue with Mrs. Menendez. When could she sit for trial?
Nadine Menendez' (outgoing) lawyer: We'll know in 2 months. Bob Menendez' lawyer: We don't want any delay. Every day the unproven allegations are out there, it could remove his ability to run. Also, we think severance is inevitable
Judge Stein: Given the medical issues, I think it is unclear when Mrs. Menendez could go to trial. So I am going to sever Mrs. Menendez - and the May 6 trial will go forward. For Mrs. Menendez, July 8 trial, we'll see in June if it's realistic
On Sunday night April 14 the US wrote in again asking for a delay to July, six page letter on Patreon here.
But Judge Stein told the parties to confer and report by April 16 at 1 pm. Then he set an April 17 conference, which Inner City Press live tweeted and dubbed "Berate-gate," thread
On April 18, Bob Menendez' lawyer wrote in that the agreement not to cross examination Lustberg is done. Then Judge Stein ordered all defendants present on April 19 to seal it. Mendendez's counsel said he is caught up in Senate business.
On April 19: "The Court grants the parties' request to adjourn the trial to May 13, 2024."
On April 23 Menendez' lawyer wrote to Judge Stein that Menendez needs to be able to see the witness material without counsel present, as he has votes to cast in the Senate.
On April 26, the US reiterated that the discovery should remain Attorney's Possession Only, letter on Patreon here.
And so it shall. But after the US Attorney's Office including Menendez' mental issues in its motions in limine, late on May 2 Menendez' lawyer wrote in to protest - and to ask for a sworn declaration explaining the circumstances in order to later ask for an appropriate remedy. They cite US v. Nejad, a prosecutorial failure involving then AUSA Emil Bove, these days cross examining for defendant Trump in 100 Centre Street. The trials would seem to overlap. Watch this site.
The case is US v. Menendez, et al., 23-cr-490 (Stein)
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