Nadine Menendez is receiving treatment for breast cancer and is expected to undergo a double mastectomy, her husband, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, revealed while appearing in the Federal District Court in Manhattan during the second day of his corruption trial.
"As a result of constant press inquiries and reporters following my wife, she has asked me to disclose her medical condition," the senator said, in a statement released during his court date.
"We are, of course, concerned about the seriousness and advanced stage of the disease."
While both Menendezes are facing a litany of felony charges, only the senator is scheduled to appear in court this month. Last month, Judge Sidney H. Stein agreed to delay Nadine's trial until July because she was suffering from a "serious medical condition."
In his statement, the senator also disclosed that Nadine's diagnosis was "grade 3" and could possibly require radiation.
"We hope and pray for the best results," he said. "We ask the press and the public to give her the time, space and privacy to deal with this challenging health condition as she undergoes surgery and recovery."
Prosecutors allege that the couple conspired with the Egyptian government and a group of New Jersey businessmen, to enrich all involved parties while also increasing Cairo's influence in Washington, D.C. The senator remains in office, even though many officials have called on him to step down.
Documents that were made public after a group of media organizations petitioned Stein indicate that the senator's legal strategy may depend on delineating his actions from those of his wife.
"These explanations, and the marital communications on which they rely, will tend to exonerate Senator Menendez by demonstrating the absence of any improper intent on Senator Menendez's part," the court filings read.
"They may inculpate Nadine by demonstrating the ways in which she withheld information from Senator Menendez or otherwise led him to believe that nothing unlawful was taking place."
This is not the senator's first brush with legal trouble. In 2015, he was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and making false statements. The case ended in a mistrial and all charges were dropped, however, the Senate Ethics Committee "severely admonished" Menendez for his actions. It was not until 2018 that Menendez began his relationship with Nadine.
