Menendez jurors near deliberations in bribery trial

In this Aug. 17, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during a news conference, in Union Beach, N.J. A jury could begin deliberations Monday, Nov. 6, in the bribery trial of Menendez and a wealthy friend. less FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during a news conference, in Union Beach, N.J. A jury could begin deliberations Monday, Nov. 6, in the bribery trial of Menendez and a ... more NEWARK, N.J. - A jury that has listened to nine weeks of testimony and evidence is expected to begin deliberations Monday in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend.

In Closing Words at Trial of Robert Menendez, Debate Over What Bribery ‘Looks Like’

As the trial of Senator Robert Menendez neared its end on Thursday, the prosecution focused on three flights he took years ago on a private plane owned by his friend Dr. Salomon Melgen, and on a $58,500 payment the senator made for the three flights after they became public. "Senator Menendez never intended to write that check," J.P. Cooney, a federal prosecutor, said in court here.

Jury set to hear closing arguments in Menendez bribery trial

The jury in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is set to hear closing arguments on Thursday after more than two months of testimony. The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting gifts from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for using his political influence.

The Latest: Trump tries to distance himself from Manafort

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Trump is unleashing new criticism of the probes into possible ties betwee... Defense attorneys for Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend have accused the judge in their bribery trial of not letting them present evidence and witnesses to prove their case.

Spain seeks rebellion charges against fired Catalan leaders

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona Sunday to call for their region to remain ... . TV crews stand in front of the Palau Generalitat as they wait for the arrival of the Catalonia president Carles Puigdemont, in Barcelona, Spain, early Monday Oct. 30, 2017.

Ethiopian-born suspect goes on trial for 1970s war crimes

Presiding Judge Renckens, center, opens the court session in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, in the case against a Dutch national of Ethiopian descent for alleged war crimes committed during the 1970's regime in ... . Presiding Judge Renckens, center, opens the court session in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, in the case against a Dutch national of Ethiopian descent for alleged war crimes committed during the 1970's regime in ... Defense attorneys for Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend have accused the judge in their bribery trial of not letting them present evidence and witnesses to prove their case.

Lindsey Graham to testify at Senate corruption trial

Lindsey Graham is taking a break from his Senate duties Thursday to testify on behalf of a Democratic senator on trial for federal corruption charges. Graham will travel to Newark, N.J., to testify in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Graham's office announced.

Menendez defense testimony continues as Pence weighs in

Testimony from defense witnesses in the bribery trial of Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on Tuesday included a curious story involving the former governor of Florida and a zinger by a prosecutor that left jurors chuckling but earned an admonition from the judge. Earlier in the day, Vice President Mike Pence weighed in on the case, telling a radio host it would be wrong for Bob Menendez to stay in office if he's convicted.

NJ Politics Digest: Judge Rejects Menendez Request to Toss Out Charges

Sen. Bob Menendez's corruption trial will go forward after a federal judge on Monday refused to toss out any charges against the New Jersey Democrat and his top donor, Salomon Melgen. U.S. District Judge William H. Walls said a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision did not invalidate the "stream of benefits" theory at the center of the Justice Department's case against Menendez.

Menendez bribery trial rests, judge ponders on dismissing charges

The government rested its bribery case against U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend on Wednesday, leaving it up to a judge to decide whether a 2016 Supreme Court ruling that already has helped reverse several politicians' corruption convictions is enough to dismiss the charges here. The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting free flights on a private jet and other gifts from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, a longtime friend, in exchange for pressuring government officials to take actions favorable to Melgen's business interests.

Menendez prosecutors seek to tie gifts, donations to actions

Prosecutors in the corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez are seeking to show jurors that the New Jersey Democrat took actions on behalf of a wealthy donor after the donor gave him gifts and campaign donations. On Thursday, they showed that a few days after the donor gave $60,000 to funds supporting Menendez, Menendez met with a State Department official regarding the donor's port security business.

Prosecutors Say Menendez Knowingly Concealed Flights and Gifts

Prosecutors arguing the federal corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez said on Wednesday that the senator purposely failed to report flights taken on co-defendant Salomon Melgen's private jet in 2008 and 2010. As per U.S. law, senators are required to fill out annual disclosure forms detailing gifts valued at over $335.

Judge Bars Discussion of Prostitution Claims from Menendez Trial

Judge William H. Walls on Wednesday forbid attorneys from discussing claims that U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez frequented prostitutes in the Dominican Republic, claims that were investigated by the FBI in 2012 and never supported with any evidence. According to defense attorneys representing Menendez and co-defendant Salomon Melgen in the ongoing federal corruption trial, the prostitution allegations provide critical context behind statements made by Menendez in 2013.