 A former staffer testified that Menendez told her he wanted to be less publicly critical of Egypt. Menendez's attorneys pinned the blame on his wife, Nadine, saying it was she who was in touch with these businessmen and that the senator didn't know the full extent of her financial troubles back then. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News. The senator's wife is also charged and faces a separate trial after she finishes treatment for breast cancer.