Also charged in the case are the three businessmen identified as recipients of Bob Menendez’s allegedly corrupt assistance: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes.
Menendez, who is up for reelection in 2024, has agreed to step down as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee because of the indictment, according to a source close to him who spoke with NBC News.
He, Nadine and the other defendants are due to appear Wednesday morning in Manhattan federal court.
Menendez in a statement adamantly denied the criminal allegations, accused prosecutors of attacking his wife “for the longstanding friendships” she had, and vowed to continue performing his duties as senator.
“I remain focused on continuing this important work and will not be distracted by baseless allegations,” Menendez said.