In a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday, Senator Bob Menendez's lawyer launched a vigorous defense, insisting that the New Jersey Democrat had never participated in the international bribery scheme described by federal prosecutors. Avi Weitzman, Menendez's attorney, asserted that there were "innocent explanations" for the alleged crimes that have upended the senator's political career.

Weitzman's opening statement focused on deflecting blame onto Menendez's wife, Nadine, who is also charged and scheduled to go on trial in July. He suggested that many of the items the senator was accused of accepting as bribes, including gold bars and a luxury car, were owned or obtained by Nadine. Weitzman highlighted the couple's "separate lives" and "separate finances," even noting that they had different cell phone plans.

Menendez, along with his co-defendants Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman, and Fred Daibes, a New Jersey real estate developer, is facing charges of acting as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt, assisting the government of Qatar, and accepting bribes from New Jersey businessmen. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Lara Pomerantz, in her opening statement, painted a picture of Menendez as a senator motivated by greed, focused on personal financial gain. She alleged a yearslong conspiracy between Menendez, his wife, and the two businessmen to take bribes while using his power to influence military aid to Egypt and hinder investigations and criminal cases. Pomerantz labeled Menendez as a "United States senator on the take."

Weitzman countered Pomerantz's claims by asserting that Menendez was acting lawfully in his role as a senator, engaging in diplomatic efforts and advocating for his constituents. He urged the jury to consider these actions as legitimate, even if they might not be personally agreeable.

To explain the presence of gold bars in Menendez's home, Weitzman attributed them to Nadine's cultural background, stating that keeping gold was common in Lebanon due to historically unstable currencies. He emphasized that the gold bars were found in Nadine's locked closet, to which the senator did not have access.

Throughout the trial, jurors will hear from a diverse range of witnesses, including current and former US senators, sheikhs, former White House officials, and representatives from entities like Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The selection process for the jury involved screening potential jurors for biases and ensuring their ability to consider evidence impartially.

The trial, presided over by federal judge Sidney Stein, is expected to last over a month. Menendez, who is not running for reelection in the upcoming Democratic primary, has expressed a willingness to consider an independent bid if exonerated.

As the trial continues, both the prosecution and the defense will present their cases, examining the evidence and testimony. The outcome of the trial will determine the senator's future and its impact on the political landscape.