Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption conviction faces potential reversal as prosecutors admit a series of errors that could invalidate the jury’s verdict. The mistakes include providing jurors access to inadmissible evidence that a judge had barred under constitutional protections for congressional activities. Menendez’s defense team argues these errors irreparably tainted the trial and has filed for a retrial, claiming the evidence “poisoned” the jury’s decision-making process.

Despite incriminating materials presented during the trial—such as gold bars, cash, and testimonies linking Menendez to bribery—the mishandling of sensitive documents may overshadow the evidence. Prosecutors insist the jury likely never accessed the barred materials, but the issue has opened the door for appeals. As the January sentencing date looms, the court’s decision on whether to grant a retrial could determine the ultimate fate of Menendez, who has previously escaped federal corruption charges after a mistrial in 2017.