A New Jersey businessman charged along with Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) on Friday pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to attempting to bribe the lawmaker, agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors in the case.
Jose Uribe, who prosecutors alleged gave Menendez’s wife, Nadine, a luxury car, entered the plea to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services wire fraud, and tax evasion, the Associated Press reported.
Uribe is one of multiple businessmen who prosecutors have alleged were part of a bribery scheme to give Bob and Nadine Menendez money, gold bars, and a diamond ring in addition to the car, in exchange for using Menendez’s influence to help them. Since the fall, in addition to the bribery charges, prosecutors have accused Menendez of acting as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of the Egyptian government and helping a businessman seek a Qatari investment.
Menendez, his wife, and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Menendez’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Authorities last month said Nadine Menendez used an alternate device she and the senator called her “007 phone” in the scheme.
