Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, held hands as they entered federal court in lower Manhattan on Wednesday morning. They made no comment to the crush of news crews.
Inside a packed courtroom, they sat among an army of attorneys. At a brief arraignment, both pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, fraud and extortion.
Also arraigned were Edgewater developer Fred Daibes and co-defendant Jose Uribe. Both businessmen pleaded not guilty to plying Menendez with envelopes stuffed with hundred dollar bills, bars of gold and a Mercedes-Benz.
The fifth defendant, Wael Hana, was arraigned Tuesday after flying back to the U.S. from Egypt. He also pleaded not guilty and posted bail.
The court required all five to surrender their passports, promise not to contact co-defendants or witnesses and agree not to travel beyond southeastern New York, New Jersey, and the Washington, D.C. areas. They all agreed to post personal bonds: $100,000 for the senator — who must also avoid contact with staff who have any knowledge of evidence in the case, $250,000 for his wife, $1 million for Uribe, $2 million for Daibes and $5 million for Hana.
This is the second corruption trial Menendez faces. The first one ended in a hung jury. Under speedy trial requirements, the next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 2.
