Political News

New Jersey businessman in Menendez case pleads guilty and cooperates with authorities in bribery case

(CNN) — A New Jersey businessman who was indicted alongside New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez has pleaded guilty to charges related to the bribery scheme and is cooperating with federal prosecutors in the ongoing investigation.

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By
Kara Scannell
, CNN
CNN — (CNN) — A New Jersey businessman who was indicted alongside New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez has pleaded guilty to charges related to the bribery scheme and is cooperating with federal prosecutors in the ongoing investigation.

Jose Uribe, who was indicted in the corruption scheme alongside the senator, his wife Nadine Menendez and two other businessmen, is the first person to plead guilty to the charges and the first insider to agree to cooperate with prosecutors.

The development puts more pressure on Sen. Menendez, who has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, and comes just two months before his trial, which is scheduled to start in May.

Uribe waived his indictment and pleaded guilty to seven counts on Friday, according to the court records and a superseding information document filed in the case. Under the plea deal, Uribe has agreed to testify at the trial and cooperate with authorities, according to his deal that was signed on Friday.

Uribe is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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