New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty Monday to obstruction charges contained in a new federal indictment that added to the bribery and corruption charges he already faced.
“Once again not guilty your honor,” Menendez said.
Menendez came to court alongside his wife, Nadine, who also pleaded not guilty to the new charges.
Federal prosecutors said the couple allegedly tried to make bribes — that took the form of a new Mercedes Benz and a mortgage payment — look like loans.
Menendez, his wife and two New Jersey businessmen — all of whom pleaded not guilty to the new obstruction counts — are scheduled to stand trial in May.
On Tuesday, Judge Sidney Stein declined Menendez’s request to adjourn the trial date in light of the new charges.
“From my standpoint, the May 6 date stands,” the judge said
A third businessman who had been charged in the case, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate. The new indictment, which brings the total number of charges Menendez faces to 18, followed Uribe’s plea.
He allegedly supplied Nadine Menendez with the luxury convertible in exchange for the senator’s help, prosecutors said.
When asked Monday by ABC News whether he would run for reelection, Menendez said he “wouldn’t be announcing it in a courtroom.”
Federal prosecutors said it would take four to six weeks for them to put on a case. Defense attorneys expect to take at least a week.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.