Businessman pleads guilty to trying to bribe Menendez with a Mercedes-Benz

Jose Uribe, a former New Jersey insurance broker charged in what prosecutors have described as a broad bribery scheme involving Sen. Robert Menendez, pleaded guilty Friday in Manhattan.

Mr. Uribe was accused of providing Nadine Menendez, the senator’s wife, with a Mercedes-Benz in return for Mr. Menendez’s efforts to intervene in a insurance fraud investigation in New Jersey.

Mr. Uribe pleaded guilty to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and other charges.

Federal District Court Judge Sidney H. Stein set Mr. Uribe’s sentencing for June 14, meaning it could come in the middle of the trial of Mr. Menendez and his three remaining co-defendants, which is expected to begin on May 6 to start.

The senator, his wife and their other co-defendants have all pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Uribe entered his guilty pleas Friday morning in an unannounced proceeding before Judge Stein.

Mr. Uribe’s lawyer, Daniel J. Fetterman, declined to comment, as did Nicholas Biase, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan.

This is a developing story and will be updated.