In Menendez Trial Cooperator Uribe Says He Promised Nadine a Car If NJ Investigation Gone

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by Matthew Russell Lee

SDNY COURTHOUSE, 7 June – 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:

Jose Uribe. AUSA: Have you pled guilty to federal crimes? Uribe: Yes. To bribing a Senator.

 AUSA: Through who? Uribe: His wife Nadine. AUSA: Did you do it with others? Uribe: With others. There - can I stand? - Will Hana. Judge: Witness has IDed Mr. Hana  Uribe: I agree with Nadine to provide a car to Nadine to get the power and influence of Senator Menendez, for positive resolution for a colleague, and to stop and kill investigations

AUSA: Where did you grow up? Uribe: Dominican Republic. I came here at 18  AUSA: Where did you move? Uribe: Union City, New Jersey. AUSA: Are you a US citizen? Uribe: I became one in 1991. I went to Hudson County Community College, and worked in a factory.

AUSA: Then what? Uribe: An insurance agency in Union City.  AUSA: How did you start there? Uribe: I was insuring my used car and saw the place was busy so I asked to work there. The first month, he didn't pay me. Judge: Why did you work for free? Uribe: I fell in love with the business. Later I got my license.  

Uribe: I lost my license, then formed Phoenix Risk Management. There, my son Omar was the license holder. I was the adviser and general manager. AUSA: Who ran it? Uribe: I did.... AUSA: Did you have to leave the insurance business under cooperation agreement? Yes  AUSA: Who was being investigated?

Uribe: Elvis Parra of E&K Trucking. And the driver Bienvenido Hernandez, who ran Prestige Trucking Express. I consider them almost brothers. AUSA: What was the criminal investigation? Uribe: Parra pled guilty and got probation  AUSA: How did you become aware of the investigation? Uribe: Subpoena. Then Detective Lopez, she went to my daughter's house on a Saturday, very unpleasant, and out to Seattle to speak with my son Omar in the middle of a law school class  AUSA: Did you get worried?

Uribe: As a father you don't want your children faced with an investigation like this.... I talked to Will Hana at Andy Arslanian's office about it. He said for $250,000 he could make it go away. Through Nadine and Senator Menendez  AUSA: Did you tell anyone? Uribe: I told Bien[venido] that my brother Will said he has a way to get a good resolution for Elvis' sentencing and the investigation, we should listen to him- Judge: Who?

Uribe: Will Hana. We met at a Marriott in Teaneck.  Uribe: At the meeting Will mentioned Nadine. AUSA: How did Bien and Elvis Parra react? Uribe: Positively. That if Elvis got no jail time and the investigations were killed they would pay.  Judge Stein. Let's break.

 They've back. AUSA: Did you do a fundraiser for Senator Menendez? Uribe: I did. In a private room in Villa Amalfi in Cliffside Park on July 13, 2018.

AUSA: Did Bob Menendez attend?

Uribe: Yes. He said he was impressed by the business people I brought  AUSA: How much did you raise for Senator Menendez at the fundraiser? Uribe: $50,000 - I gave $5000 myself. We had an afterparty. Nadine, Will, Mr. Menendez...

AUSA: Then what? Uribe: Detective Lopez visited my daughter. I was, I hate to repeat the word, f*cked.   Uribe: Then at another restaurant in New Jersey, we met: Nadine, Will, Senator Menendez and myself. AUSA: How would you describe Mr. Hana's behavior with Menendez? Uribe: It seemed like he wanted to suck up to Senator Menendez... 

AUSA: Then what? Uribe: Nadine complained to me, the men in her life never come through, that Will didn't get her the car he promised. AUSA: What did you say? Uribe: I said I would provide a car as soon as she helps me. She acknowledged knowing part of the deal  Uribe: Nadine said she know about E&K Trucking. AUSA: Why did you want to do a deal for a car? Uribe: To protect my family. I told her, I will stand by my word, as long as she deliver on her promise.

AUSA: What did you write to Bien? Uribe: I received good news  Judge: We'll break for the week.

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