The bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez took a turn on Friday as a witness testified about the increase in costs for certifying meat sent to Egypt after a single company gained a monopoly in a deal allegedly arranged by Menendez in exchange for bribes. James Bret Tate, a U.S. diplomat, explained to the court how the certification of Halal meat ended up in the hands of a company run by Menendez’s codefendant, Wael “Will” Hana. The prices for certification soared from $200-$400 per container to over $5,000 after Hana’s company secured the monopoly.
Tate shared his efforts to expand the number of companies that could export meat to Egypt, only to be informed that Egypt wanted a single company – specifically Hana’s – to handle the certification. This decision was surprising to Tate since Hana lacked experience in the field and even asked Tate how certification worked during a meeting. Menendez, along with Hana and another businessman, has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, extortion, fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent of Egypt.
Prosecutors aim to prove during the trial that Menendez and his wife accepted gold and cash bribes to assist three New Jersey businessmen. The Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Pomerantz alleged that the Egyptian government favored Hana by providing him with a lucrative monopoly. Hana’s attorney, Lawrence Lustberg, argued in his opening statement that his client did nothing wrong in expanding his business, emphasizing that the decisions were made by Egypt and not influenced by Menendez.
Lustberg defended Hana, stating that the company’s contracts with Egypt were based on merit and not due to connections with Menendez. He highlighted that Egypt had found fault with previous U.S. companies handling certification, leading to Hana’s company being awarded the contract. Menendez, who held a prominent position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time, had to step down after his arrest. The trial is expected to last up to two months as more details about the alleged bribery scheme are revealed in court.
The allegations against Menendez and his associates have stirred controversy, with prosecutors claiming that the senator abused his power to benefit his friends in exchange for personal gain. Menendez’s wife, Nadine Menendez, was also implicated in the case but her trial has been postponed due to her health condition. Despite the seriousness of the charges, both Menendez and Hana continue to maintain their innocence and refute any wrongdoing in their business dealings. The trial will continue to unfold, shedding light on the intricate web of corruption and influence that prosecutors claim exists within the political realm.
