By Allan Lengel
It truth time.
Jury selection starts Monday in a Manhattan federal court for New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez on public corruption charges. Menendez tried unsuccessfully to get the trial moved to neighboring New Jersey.
Menendez, 70, is charged with being at the control of an international bribery scheme involving more than $100,000 in gold bullion, a luxury car and an Egyptian halal meat monopoly. The defense table includes two business people charged in schemes with the senator.
Menendez’s wife Nadine, 57, who also faces criminal charges, will be prosecuted in a separate trial. Menendez’s lawyers are expected to at least blame part of this mess on his wife.
Menendez has rejected demands that he resign.
