Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez will face sentencing for corruption charges as scheduled on January 29, after a federal judge denied his request for a delay connected to his wife's trial. U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein ruled on Monday that Menendez's sentencing would not be postponed until his wife, Nadine Menendez, concludes her trial on similar charges, which has now been rescheduled for February 5 following a prior surgery related to her breast cancer diagnosis (AP News).

The judge's decision came after Menendez's attorneys argued that the outcome of his sentencing could taint the jury selected for his wife's trial. They expressed concern that the high-profile nature of his trial could influence jurors who would be serving in Nadine's case. In a statement, attorney Barry Coburn, representing Nadine Menendez, highlighted the impact of Bob’s sentencing on the jurors, asserting that "a flash of intense publicity" would likely surround the event (The Hill).

Bob Menendez was convicted in July of 16 corruption charges that implicated him in accepting lavish bribes from three New Jersey businessmen, which included cash and gifts in exchange for using his political influence. Two of the businessmen were convicted alongside him, while another cooperated with the government against Menendez (AP News).

As Nadine Menendez prepares for her trial next month, she maintains her innocence, having pleaded not guilty to charges against her.