Englewood Cliffs, NJ – Nadine Menendez reported to federal prison Friday to begin serving a 54-month sentence after her conviction in a sweeping public corruption case involving her husband, former New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Menendez is in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida.
Her imprisonment means both she and her husband are now serving federal prison sentences following their convictions in one of New Jersey’s most significant political corruption cases.
They are also the parents of New Jersey State Sen. Robert Menendez Jr. who now how both of his parents incarcerated in federal prison.
Jury convicted Menendez after five-week trial
A federal jury convicted Nadine Menendez in April 2025 of bribery, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction of justice following a five-week trial before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein.
Judge Stein later sentenced her to 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $922,188.10.
“The defendant and her partner in crime, former Senator Robert Menendez, engaged in the most brazen form of public corruption—gold bars, cash, and a luxury car in exchange for a Senator’s power,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said following her sentencing. “Today’s sentence sends an important message: our elected officials are not for sale.”
Prosecutors detailed years-long bribery scheme
Federal prosecutors said Nadine Menendez introduced then-Sen. Menendez to New Jersey businessman Wael Hana shortly after the couple began dating in 2018.
According to evidence presented at trial, between 2018 and 2022 the couple accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from Hana, New Jersey developer Fred Daibes, and insurance and trucking businessman Jose Uribe.
The bribes included more than $100,000 in gold bars, nearly $500,000 in cash hidden throughout their home, a luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible, mortgage payments, furniture, and a low- or no-show job for Nadine Menendez.
In return, prosecutors said Robert Menendez used his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the Egyptian government, protect Hana’s business interests, attempt to interfere with a New Jersey criminal investigation involving Uribe, and try to influence the selection of a U.S. attorney who could assist Daibes.
Investigators also alleged Nadine Menendez participated in efforts to obstruct the federal investigation.
Others also sentenced
Robert Menendez was convicted in July 2024 and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.
Wael Hana was sentenced to more than eight years in prison, while Fred Daibes received a seven-year sentence. Jose Uribe pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Photo: Rendering of the Menendez couple in prison
