Meet Nadine Arslanian Menendez, the 56-year-old spouse of a politician. Born in Lebanon to Armenian parents, she journeyed from Greece to London and finally settled in the United States.
Originally residing in Palo Alto, California, she later moved to New York and pursued degrees in international politics and French culture and civilization at New York University.
Nadine Arslanian Menendez has two adult children from a previous relationship, a son, and a daughter.
A recent federal indictment in New York accuses her and her New Jersey senator husband of accepting substantial bribes, including a dubious job, in a long-running influence-peddling scheme.
Both are alleged to have received significant sums of money and other benefits in exchange for the senator's political influence.
The senator purportedly used his position to advocate for financial aid for Egypt's authoritarian government and sought to influence a separate criminal investigation.
In return, three prominent New Jersey businessmen, also facing charges, allegedly showered the Menendezes with gold bars, cash, and even a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
Authorities discovered over $70,000 in cash in Nadine Menendez's safe deposit box as part of the alleged proceeds.
One of the businessmen, who knew Nadine before she began dating the senator, supposedly offered her a "low-or-no-show job" in his company.