Jury selection resumes for second day of Sen. Menendez's corruption trial
Several jurors have been excused after explaining they have planned vacations or child care commitments.
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Jury selection remained the focus of the second day of Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption trial. Once complete, the jury will have a chance to hear opening arguments in the senator’s federal bribery case.
Several jurors have been excused after explaining they have planned vacations or child care commitments.
The Democratic senator is accused of taking bribes in the form of gold bars and $480,000 in cash.
His wife, Nadine Menendez, is also a target of prosecutors. She is accused of accepting a Mercedes-Benz as a bribe. She will be on trial in July.
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Menendez is charged with proving official acts as favors to three businessmen.
In Hudson County, not far from the senator’s home, News 12 spoke with the public about what they think of the trial.
“I think it’s a caricature of corruption, in my opinion. The most cartoonish form of it - gold bars?” said Nitin Ramesh.
“It makes me uncomfortable. These are the people the law of the land comes from and people who are generally supposed to be ethically driven individuals,” said another person.
Menendez has maintained his innocence throughout the accusations.
Opening arguments could start later this week.
This is the second corruption trial the senator has faced in less than 10 years. That previous trial ended in a hung jury and prosecutors chose not to pursue further charges.
