Judge delays start of Sen. Bob Menendez's trial by one week

A Manhattan judge has agreed to postpone Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial by one week, after lawyers on both sides agreed that a delay would help them build their cases.

Menendez, his wife Nadine, and three New Jersey businessmen face accusations of using their political influence to benefit Egypt, and of accepting bribes. Menendez, his wife, and two of the businessmen have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The third businessman did plead guilty and is expected to testify against the others.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein changed the start of the trial from May 6 to May 13, the Associated Press reported. But Nadine Menendez will not be tried until July 8 due to undisclosed health conditions that will require surgery and a potentially lengthy recovery time.

Lawyers for the senator have indicated in court documents this week that Menendez would try to convince a jury that he had no criminal intent because his wife "withheld information from Sen. Menendez or otherwise led him to believe that nothing unlawful was taking place."

Menendez has faced calls to resign over the bribery allegations, especially from Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman. While he has stepped down from his post as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has declined to resign from the Senate. He is expected to run for reelection this November as an independent candidate.