Menendez jurors in NYC bribery trial hear from ex-State Dept. big about Egypt aid

Jurors in the gold-bar bribery trial of Sen. Robert Menendez got a crash course on military aid and arms deals to Egypt Tuesday, as prosecutors sought to establish the veteran lawmaker’s clout in directing foreign policy.

Josh Paul, who until this past October worked as the director of congressional and public affairs for the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, testified in Manhattan Federal Court about how Egypt gets about $1.3 billion in funding annually from the U.S., around $300 million of which has strings attached.

That amount is tied to whether Egypt is making progress on human rights issues such as the release of political prisoners.

Menendez, 70, is accused of taking bribes and gold bars through his wife, Nadine, from N.J. businessman Wael “Will” Hana and Fred Daibes, who are also on trial. As part of the bribery scheme, Menendez is accused of ghostwriting a letter on behalf of Egypt to address senators’ human rights concerns, and of working to fast-track a tank ammo deal.

“Egypt did not like the idea that there were conditions in the first place, and did not like when funding was withheld,” said Paul, who publicly quit his State Department job in October in protest over continued U.S. military assistance to Israel.

Paul didn’t testify about Menendez’s specific actions, but said that he’s publicly expressed his own concerns over Egypt’s human rights violations over the years.

The ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — positions both held at one point by Menendez — have “immense sway” over the State Department, Paul said.

They also could gum up arms deals to foreign nations like Egypt, which in summer 2018 was looking to buy $100 million worth of tank ammo from the U.S, he said.

Prosecutors expect to introduce a heart emoji-filled July 2018 text message from Menendez to Nadine saying, “Tell Will I am going to sign off this sale to Egypt today. Egypt: 46,000 120MM Target Practice Rounds and 10,000 Rounds Tank Ammunition: $99 million.”

Jurors also heard testimony from John Moldovan, who worked as general counsel for Hana’s halal meat certification company.

Moldovan told jurors how Hana floated Nadine more than $20,000 to help cover her mortgage and stave off foreclosure in July 2019, and how she got a $10,000-a-month consulting gig with the halal company for three months.

Menendez’s lawyer, Avi Weitzman, tried to wash the senator’s hands of Hana’s generosity to Nadine.

“[Hana] never mentioned Sen. Menendez, correct?” the lawyer asked.

“Never,” Moldovan responded.

Testimony in the trial continues next week.