New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez’s bribery trial took an interesting turn when New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, Philip R. Sellinger, testified that Menendez tried to discuss the prosecution of a real estate developer with him before recommending him for the post. Sellinger’s testimony indicated that Menendez had sought to intervene in criminal cases affecting businessmen who had allegedly paid him and his wife bribes of gold bars, cash, and a car. This revelation is the second instance in the trial where a top law enforcement figure has claimed that Menendez tried to influence a criminal case.
When Menendez recommended Sellinger as U.S. attorney, prosecutors alleged that it was because he believed he could use his influence to protect Fred Daibes, a real estate developer facing federal charges. Daibes, along with Menendez and another businessman, Wael Hana, have all pleaded not guilty in the case. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, who pleaded guilty, completed four days of testimony before agreeing to testify against the others. Nadine Menendez, Menendez’s wife, also pleaded not guilty, and her trial has been postponed due to a surgery related to breast cancer.
Sellinger testified that his relationship with Menendez dates back to the early 2000s when he started contributing to Menendez’s campaigns for Congress and hosting political fundraisers for him. He believed that Menendez would nominate him for the U.S. attorney post if Hillary Clinton had won the 2016 presidential race. After Joe Biden won the 2020 election, Sellinger met with Menendez in his Washington office, where the senator mentioned Daibes’ criminal case and expressed his concerns about it. Sellinger informed Menendez that he would look at all cases carefully if he became U.S. attorney.
After recalling a past encounter with a lawsuit adverse to Daibes, Sellinger stated his potential conflict of interest to the Justice Department in Washington on his first day in office. He was instructed to have no involvement in the case involving Daibes. Despite this, Menendez recommended Sellinger for the U.S. attorney job, but Sellinger disclosed that he informed Menendez about his likely recusal from the Daibes case due to his past legal dealings. Sellinger’s testimony indicated a strained relationship with Menendez, with the senator refusing an invite to a public ceremony celebrating Sellinger’s appointment as U.S. attorney.
During cross-examination, Sellinger clarified that Menendez had never asked him to do anything improper or unethical in the past 20 years. Despite the revelations in court, Sellinger maintained that he did not believe Menendez was seeking anything inappropriate from him. The trial continues with further testimony and examination into the accusations of bribery and political influence surrounding Menendez and the businessmen involved. Menendez’s legal troubles continue to unfold as new details emerge in the ongoing trial.
