Bob Menendez seeks sentencing delay during wife's trial, citing 'emotional toll' on family

Ex-New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s lawyers on Thursday asked a federal judge to postpone their client's sentencing next month, while his wife Nadine Menedez is facing her own trial in a bribery case.

Nadine Menendez and her husband were charged in the case at the same time, but underwent different trials after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her trial is currently scheduled to begin Jan. 21, eight days before the former senator will be sentenced.

Bob Menendez was convicted on all 16 counts in his federal corruption case earlier this year, including obstruction of justice, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and acting as a foreign agent. He pleaded not guilty to the crimes, and has vowed to appeal the verdict.

Attorneys for the former senator on Thursday cited the "emotional toll" the sentencing would take on his family, if he is sentenced amid his wife's trial and health issues. The request was sent to Judge Sidney H. Stein, according to the Associated Press.

“Put simply, the current timeline poses an unnecessary and overwhelming risk of poisoning the proceedings against Nadine,” the lawyers wrote. “Sentencing him during his wife’s trial will of course take a tremendous emotional toll on both Senator Menendez and his family. To ask him to face sentencing during the criminal trial of his wife, who is also in the midst of an ongoing battle against a life-threatening disease, is too much to ask of any man.”

The attorneys suggested the sentencing be moved to immediately after Nadine Menendez's trial, which could last until March, but did not propose a specific date. An attorney for Nadine Menendez also recommended that the judge reject a request from prosecutors to sentence the former senator just before his wife's trial.

“If Mr. Menendez were sentenced shortly before our client proceeds to trial, that likely would have a devastating impact on our client, which, I believe, would make it difficult if not impossible for her to concentrate on, and participate meaningfully in, her trial,” attorney Barry Coburn wrote.

Bob Menendez, who resigned from the Senate following his conviction, is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29, 2025.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.