A jury in Manhattan federal court has commenced deliberations in the high-profile corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who stands accused of engaging in significant criminal activities, including bribery and extortion.

The senator's trial, which lasted nearly two months, involved compelling testimonies and presented evidence illustrating Menendez's allegedly corrupt practices in exchange for performing official duties, as ABC News reports.

Extensive Witness Testimonies and Evidence

Jury deliberations in the case began Friday afternoon, marking a pivotal moment in the trial. Menendez faces 16 felony counts, covering a wide range of charges such as bribery, extortion, wire fraud, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. These severe accusations paint a portrait of a high-ranking official entangled in illicit activities.

Over three dozen witnesses testified during the trial, offering detailed accounts and evidence of Menendez's alleged involvement in corruption.

Some of the critical pieces of evidence included gold bars and envelopes filled with cash that Menendez is accused of receiving as bribes. These items bolstered the prosecution's argument that Menendez engaged in illegal activities for personal gain.

Prosecutors argued that Menendez accepted bribes in return for performing official actions, a direct violation of his duties as a senator. The defense, however, contested these claims, asserting that Menendez did not act under the influence of bribes and instead pointed the finger at his wife, Nadine Menendez.

Allegations of Menendez’s Ties to Egypt

Defense attorney Adam Fee claimed, "That is her gold and her cash," shifting the focus and responsibility away from Sen. Menendez.

Photos were presented during the trial, showing Menendez dining with Egyptian intelligence officials. According to testimony, these meetings were facilitated by Nadine Menendez.

The connections to Egyptian figures raised questions about the senator's potential engagement in foreign agent activities. A staff member revealed that Menendez’s meetings with Egyptian officials were not listed on his schedule.

Sarah Arkin, a staff member, expressed how this secrecy impacted her work: "Made it a little bit more difficult because I didn't know exactly who he was talking to or what information he had or didn't have or who he might want to meet or where information was coming from."

Prosecution’s Closing Arguments

During the closing arguments, prosecutor Paul Monteleoni emphasized the weight of the evidence against Menendez and urged the jury to hold him accountable.

"The buck stops here. Thousands upon thousands of bucks stop here. It's time to hold him responsible," Monteleoni stressed, underlining the prosecution's stance on Menendez's responsibility for the alleged corrupt acts.

Defense Shifted Blame to Nadine Menendez

In contrast, the defense maintained that Menendez did not engage in corrupt acts because of bribes and suggested that it was his wife, Nadine Menendez, who solicited the bribes from businessmen.

This contention added complexity to the narrative and raised questions about Nadine Menendez’s role in the events. She faces a separate trial and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Jury Deliberations to Resume

Jury deliberations are scheduled to resume on Monday, with the jurors tasked with evaluating the extensive evidence and testimonies presented during the trial. The outcome of this deliberation will have significant implications for Sen. Menendez's future and political career.

In conclusion, the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez is a high-stakes legal battle that has brought to light serious allegations of bribery, extortion, and acting as a foreign agent.

With numerous witnesses, crucial evidence like gold bars and cash, and competing narratives from the prosecution and defense, the jury’s deliberations will determine the course of justice in this contentious case.

The deliberations are set to continue, keeping the nation attentive to the final verdict.