Senator Menendez Corruption Trial Focuses on Luxurious Lifestyle
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Senator Menendez and his wife don't want the jury to know about their luxurious lifestyle including cigars, handbags, jewelry, and a preference for expensive items.
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Prosecutors say the couple accepted bribes in exchange for political favors, including cash, gold bars, a car, and payments from a medical testing company.
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Menendez was indicted in September and stepped down as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, with his popularity plummeting.
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The trial is set to start May 6th, with prosecutors seeking to use evidence of the couple's lavish lifestyle as motive.
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Defense lawyers argue the lifestyle evidence would unfairly prejudice the jury and have limited relevance to the criminal charges.