Awaiting Sentencing, Menendez Pleads for Leniency and Blames His Wife NYT | Top Stories By: Tracey Tully 4 January 2025 at 00:32 As they did during his trial, lawyers for the former senator argued in a court filing that he had been led astray by his wife, Nadine Menendez. © Jefferson Siegel for The New York TimesFormer Senator Robert Menendez faces sentencing and a possible prison term after his conviction on corruption charges.