NEW YORK — A New Jersey businessman pleaded guilty Friday to bribing U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez after signing a cooperation agreement with prosecutors.
Jose Uribe has entered a plea in Manhattan federal court to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. Prosecutors allege he gave Menendez’s wife a Mercedes-Benz.
Under a plea deal, Uribe could face up to 95 years in prison, although he could obtain leniency by cooperating and testifying against the other defendants, which he has agreed to do.
Uribe was one of three businessmen charged in the corruption case against the Democrat and his wife, which came to light early last fall. Authorities say Menendez and his wife accepted bribes of cash, gold bars and the luxury car in exchange for his help and influence over foreign affairs.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Uribe had been accused of providing Menendez’s wife with a Mercedes-Benz convertible after the senator called a government official about another case involving an associate of Uribe.
The senator and his wife, along with two other businessmen, will stand trial in May.