New Jersey
Senator on Trial: Day Twenty-Eight – New Jersey Globe
DAY TWENTY-EIGHT
Lawyers for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez rested their case on Friday after calling four witnesses, with the New Jersey’s senior senator declining to testify in his own defense, which is his right. Menendez, in his own words, told reporters on his way out of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Federal Courthouse in Lower Manhattan: “From my perspective, the government has failed to prove every aspect of its case. And for me to testify and give them another chance to have, in essence, a second summation, go through the whole case again, and then go ahead and have their summation, and then have a rebuttal case at the end, is simply not something that makes any sense to me whatsoever. So we look forward to the summations, and I expect my lawyers will produce a powerful and convincing summation, deduce how the evidence came out, where they failed across the board, and have a jury render a verdict of not guilty.”
No witnesses were called by co-defendant Fred Daibes’ lawyer, while the attorney representing another co-defendant, Halal meat executive Wael Hana, will call a defense witness when the trial resumes on Monday.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Jurors are expected to begin deliberating next week.
DAYS SINCE THE INDICTMENT: 284
DAYS SINCE MENENDEZ’S LAST CRIMINAL TRIAL ENDED: 2,419
MISSED VOTES: 34
There have been no votes in the Senate since June 20 and is not expected back in session until next week.
And in case you’re keeping track: it’s been 43 years and 61 days since a United States Senator from New Jersey was last convicted of accepting a bribe.
NEW JERSEY ABSTAINS, COURTEOUSLY
— Sen. Menendez rests his defense in federal bribery trial from New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Sen. Bob Menendez, in his first words in court since his federal bribery trial started eight weeks ago in Manhattan, told the judge Wednesday that he would not speak in his own defense and rested his case after just two days of witnesses testifying on his behalf. ‘I’m not seeking to take the stand at this time,’ New Jersey’s senior senator told Judge Sidney H. Stein, assuring the jurist he had discussed the matter ‘at length’ with his attorneys … After testimony by the senator’s sister and sister-in-law riveted jurors Monday, Wednesday was an anticlimactic end to the senator’s defense in a trial that was expected to end a week ago. Stein, as well as attorneys for all three defendants, have increasingly expressed concerns about “losing jurors” as the trial has fallen behind … Stein on Wednesday doubled down on his frequent vows to speed proceedings up, telling Hana’s attorney Lawrence Lustberg that he won’t wait on a witness Lustberg aims to call to the stand Monday — who’s now stuck in Egypt awaiting a visa. “We’re all going to be as efficient as possible in the use of this jury. I’m not going to significantly delay things for that issue,” Stein said. ‘The rule in my court is: If you don’t have a witness, you rest.’”
CRITCHELY: MENENDEZ DIDN’T NEED TO INTERVENE BECAUSE GREWAL HAD “A WEAK CASE”
More from DiFilippo: “Jurors also heard a prerecorded video deposition of attorney Michael Critchley, who represented a trucking company owner in an insurance fraud case filed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office/ Prosecutors have said Hana and codefendant Jose Uribe bribed Menendez to derail the office’s prosecution of E&K Trucking owner Elvis Parra … Critchley testified that Menendez called him in March 2019 to complain that Parra’s case was ‘an abuse of prosecution,’ and the men agreed the Attorney General’s Office was being used by insurance companies to collect private debt. Under Weitzman’s questioning, Critchley said the senator did nothing ‘inappropriate or improper’ and that he occasionally talked with Menendez about criminal cases that made the news. Parra eventually agreed to a plea deal with a sentence of noncustodial probation, but Critchley said the plea offer was made because state prosecutors had ‘a weak case’ and not, as prosecutors allege, because Menendez called and met with Gurbir Grewal, then the attorney general, in a deal with Uribe that required the senator to ‘kill and stop all investigation.’
AND NOW, THE END IS NEAR
— Menendez Defense Rests Without Senator Testifying from New York Times’ Benjamin Weiser and Tracey Tully: “After calling just four witnesses, lawyers for Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey rested their case late Wednesday afternoon in Manhattan federal court, setting the stage for jurors to begin deliberations in his international bribery conspiracy trial early next week.”
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO GO OUT AT ANY TIME
— Bob Menendez’s defense rests without New Jersey senator testifying in bribery trial by CBS News’ Caitlin Yilek: “A handful of witnesses testified on his behalf, compared to the 30 witnesses called by the prosecution during the trial, which has so far spanned eight weeks. Menendez’s defense attorneys called his sister and the sister of his wife, Nadine Menendez, to testify on Monday as they sought to show it was not unusual for the couple to keep gold and large amounts of cash in their home.”
* Sen. Bob Menendez declines to testify in his bribery trial as the defense rests
* Bob Menendez’s lawyers bring in family as they argue his trial defense
* Bob Menendez says he didn’t testify because prosecution failed to prove its bribery case against him
* Senator Bob Menendez rests defense case in federal bribery trial
SENATOR ON TRIAL: DAY ONE | DAY TWO | DAY THREE | DAY FOUR | DAY FIVE | DAY SIX | DAY SEVEN | DAY EIGHT | DAY NINE | DAY TEN | DAY ELEVEN | DAY TWELVE | DAY THIRTEEN | DAY FOURTEEN | DAY FIFTEEN | DAY SIXTEEN | DAY SEVENTEEN | DAY EIGHTEEN | DAY NINETEEN | DAY NINETEEN (AND A QUARTER) | DAY TWENTY | DAY TWENTY-ONE | DAY TWENTY-TWO | DAY TWENTY-THREE | DAY TWENTY-FOUR | DAY TWENTY-FIVE | DAY TWENTY-SIX | DAY TWENTY-SEVEN
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
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Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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