New Jersey businessman Jose Uribe pleaded guilty on Friday to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion, in a corruption case involving Senator Bob Menendez. Uribe signed a cooperation deal with prosecutors, agreeing to testify against the other defendants – particularly Menendez – in exchange for leniency.
According to prosecutors, Uribe gave Menendez’s wife a Mercedes-Benz, one of several bribes allegedly exchanged for the senator’s influence and help in foreign affairs. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 95 years in prison, but Uribe’s cooperation could result in a reduced sentence.
The case, which was revealed last fall, also implicates Menendez’s wife and two other businessmen, who have pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled for May. This development marks a significant turn in the investigation, as Uribe’s cooperation could potentially lead to new evidence and revelations in the case.