July 12 (UPI) -- Jurors have begun deliberating in Sen. Bob Menendez's federal corruption trial in New York.
The New Jersey Democrat and his co-defendants, businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, are on trial for their role in a multi-faceted corruption scheme where prosecutors alleged the senator accepted luxurious bribes in exchange for political favors over several years.
A third businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty to several charges and agreed to testify against the other defendants prior to the trial.
Menendez faces 18 federal charges of bribery, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent. Prosecutors alleged he used his power as a senator to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar in exchange for gifts, and to interfere in the bribery investigations.
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