Extra: In Menendez Trial FBI Account on M&T Bank Account and Gold in Chase Safety Deposit Box

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by Matthew Russell Lee

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 28 – Amid reports of investigation against Sen. Robert Menendez for taking gold bars, Inner City Press' sources on September 21 it to expect on Friday, September 22 an appearance in Federal court in Manhattan by Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian. This scoop was true.

Later a superseder was unveiled, including charges of bribes to act for Qatar...

On April 11, 2024 after Nadine Menendez and then the government asked for delay, to July or undefined, Judge Stein severed her case and reaffirmed May 6, Inner City Press thread

On Sunday night April 14 the US wrote in again asking for a delay to July, six page letter on Patreon here.

But Judge Stein told the parties to confer and report by April 16 at 1 pm. Then he set an April 17 conference, which Inner City Press live tweeted and dubbed "Berate-gate," thread

On May 13, jury selection began - but did not finish. Abit later, Menendez got into an car with FOP NJ plates.

On May 14 jury selection continued but was not yet completed, from the ending, thread

Late on May 14, the US Attorney's Office filed opposition to slides the defense wants to use in its opening arguments, including quotes from Colin Powell and MLK, and when Nadine came into possession of gold - full letter on Patreon here

Inner City Press live tweeted jury selection and then opening arguments here, then filmed Bob's exit (he said he thought it went well and that his guy did great).

On May 21, the US Attorney's Office put on Wael Hana's lawyer, then a US State Department official working on Congressional approval (or holds) on arms transfer to Egypt, thread here.

On May 23, with the trial in haitus, docketed was Menendez' lawyers opposition to quashing his subpoena for Jose Uribe's attorney proffer and communications with SDNY prosecutors, filing on Patreon here

On May 29, Inner City Press live tweeted, omitting Morton's steakhouse but including this

On May 30, Menendez's lawyer's (long) cross, including this.

On May 31, starting 1 pm, the agent was cross examined, and then USDA Ted McKinney on direct, thread

  After the trial day, Inner City Press filed Menendez' walk to his Jersey-plated car; asked why he called McKinney he said, Wait for the cross [examination].

Nadine Menendez hired a new lawyer, who previously represented Sydney Powell among others. Then this: "ORDER as to Nadine Menendez: At the request of the defendant and with the consent of the government [Doc. No. 434], the status conference is adjourned from June 10 to June 12 at 5 :00 p.m.(Signed by Judge Sidney H. Stein on 6/3/2024)."

On June 4 Judge Stein dockted a partially redacted Order in which he denied Menendez's request that the prosecutors give him impeachment material about a Confidential Human Source they are not going to call as a witness - but Menendez said he will.

On June 5, Inner City Press live tweeted - and afterward asked Menendez a question. Thread.

On June 6, after more cross of Agent Graves, Gurbir Grewal testified, thread

On June 7, after an FBI fingerprint expert, cooperator Jose Uribe, Inner City Press live tweeted, thread

On June 10, Uribe finished his direct examination around 4 pm, then counsel for Hana, not yet Menendez, began cross examination, thread.

On June 11, Uribe was cross examined - though not on the "strip club issue" after which out on Worth Street Menendez decried Uribe's crimes. Thread

On June 12, after the end of Uribe (including drunk driving and the "little bell"), US Attorney of NJ Sellinger took the stand, thread.

On June 13, trial day - and next day - was canceled by Daibes calling in with COVID: thread.

And then, book: GOLD BAR BAR Menendez Trial I, on Amazon here.

On June 18, after Daibes' COVID, things resumed with Sellinger, followed by Matt Soliman.

On June 20, alongside an FBI agent summary witness, a prosecution office witness out of order, thread.

On June 24, Menendez's staffer Sarah Arkin took the stand, from the thread

On June 25, Sarah Arkin finished up, including about upcoming job at State Department. Then, a currency (and money laundering) expert from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. From the thread

On June 26, there testimony about currency, and then a jocular Armenian jeweler, from the thread

On June 27, the Senate Ethics Committee director, then a cell site expert, from the thread

On June 28, the last US witness, on Menendez's M&T account, and gold in Nadine's Chase Bank safety deposit box, thread:

OK - now in US v. Menendez, FBI forensic account about Bob's M&T account is last government witness; defense will allude to Anton.

All rise! [Witness is called, and sworn...] AUSA: Which accounts of Senator did you review? FBI accountant: Senate Credit Union and M&T Bank. Also, Schedule E, Rental Income, from the Senator's tax returns. 

AUSA: In this chart, how much is indicated in Menendez cash withdrawals from the Senate credit union? FBI accounting: $55,000 between 2018 and June 2022.

AUSA: If all of that were part of the money seized, how does it compare to the bills issued after 2018? Less  AUSA: How many gold bars in this chart match bars in the Daibes portfolio? FBI accountant: 13 bars, worth over $200,000. 

Cross examination. Menendez's lawyer Adam Fee: How did you first get involved in this case? FBI accountant: I was asked by the prosecutors. Fee: The summary charts, you did not prepare- FBI accountant: I reviewed them for accuracy 

Menendez' lawyer Adam Fee: I'm going to have to re-make this exhibit because I don't have Excel... Does the Senate FCU have a branch in the Hart building? FBI accountant: I have no knowledge of the Senate buildings.  Judge: We'll break.

Cross examination of FBI accountant continues. Menendez' lawyer Adam Fee: Are you aware that this Chase Bank in Engelwood NJ safe deposit box was held only by Nadine Arslanian? AUSA: We object to the scope of these questions. Judge: Let's see. FBI accountant: Yes 

Menendez's lawyer Fee: The cash deposited in the M&T account was accurately reported on the Schedule E? AUSA: Objection! Judge: Sustained. Fee: I want to understand her knowledge of the charts. Judge: But you keep asking the same questions. Go ahead 

Now Wael Hana's lawyer Lustberg: This chart has one section on Mr. Daibes, and one on Mr. Hana, right?

FBI accountant: Correct... After a brief re-direct the AUSA: The government rests. Judge: Jurors, on Monday you'll see if the defense puts on a case  Jury leaves

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