Detailed Analysis: The New Jersey Fatal Accident Linked to Menendez Bribery Allegations

In December 2018, Nadine Menendez, the future spouse of prominent U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, was involved in a fatal car incident that led to the death of Richard Koop, aged 49. Interestingly, she was released from the crash site without any charges. Recent revelations indicate that this car mishap matches the description of a vehicular “accident” referred to in the extensive federal indictment against both Nadine and the senator, suggesting it played a significant role in one of the senator’s purported bribes.

The unfortunate event occurred around 7:30 p.m. on December 12, 2018, close to Koop’s residence in Bogota, New Jersey. Information obtained by The Record of New Jersey, along with statements from Koop’s acquaintances and family to The New York Times, revealed that he had been dropped off by a rideshare opposite his apartment after leaving a bar.

The official report by the Bogota Police Department mentioned that at the time of the incident, Nadine Menendez, who was then known as Nadine Arslanian and not yet wed to the senator, was not responsible for the accident. The report stated that Mr. Koop was crossing the street improperly, outside of a designated crosswalk or intersection. Notably, the investigation records lack evidence of any tests for drug or alcohol consumption on Nadine’s part. The state attorney general’s guidelines only mandate such tests in fatal accidents if there’s a substantial reason to believe the driver was under the influence.

David Schertler, Nadine Menendez’s attorney, remained unresponsive when The Big Big News reached out for a comment. The Associated Press sought a statement from her via a representative from Senator Menendez’s office.

A dashcam video from the scene captured Nadine Menendez inquiring about Koop’s presence on the road and clarifying her innocence. During her interaction with the police, she mentioned that Koop unexpectedly ran onto the road, causing him to collide with her car. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office shared that the Bogota police solicited county assistance for the probe but only after concluding that it wasn’t a criminal matter.

Rosemarie Koop-Angelicola, Richard Koop’s sibling, expressed her family’s concerns to the AP, emphasizing their desire for a thorough investigation into her brother’s death.

The car involved, a black Mercedes-Benz sedan, endured significant damage, including a broken windshield and considerable front-end destruction, not only from the collision with Koop but also a stationary vehicle nearby. The federal indictment from New York reveals a subsequent communication where Nadine texted Wael Hana, a businessman implicated with Senator Menendez in an alleged bribery conspiracy, about her car’s unavailability.

According to prosecutors, Nadine’s urgent requirement for a vehicle drove Senator Menendez to attempt to impede a separate criminal case against a businessman from New Jersey. In return, he allegedly received a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible for his then-fiancée, finalized in April 2019.

Both Senator Menendez and Nadine are slated to begin their trial on May 6, confronting accusations of receiving bribes that include cash, gold, and the car from businessmen. The charges allege these businessmen sought Senator Menendez’s foreign affairs assistance. Formerly heading the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez is under suspicion of providing confidential details to Egyptian military and intelligence sectors.

Despite the serious allegations, both the senator and his wife, along with others implicated, have entered pleas of not guilty. Menendez continues to serve in office, even amidst calls from prominent Democrats for his resignation.

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More about fokus keyword: Menendez bribery case

• The Record of New Jersey report on the accident
• The New York Times interview with Koop’s family
• Bogota Police Department’s official statement
• The Big Big News’s attempt to contact David Schertler
• Associated Press coverage of the Menendez bribery allegations
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee records
• Details on the federal indictment from New York