Key Facts
Career & Education
About
Jose Uribe is a New Jersey businessman and owner of a used car dealership, notably New Bridge Car Sales in Union City. He gained national attention as a key figure in the federal corruption case involving U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez. Uribe's business came under federal investigation for alleged insurance fraud, including schemes involving odometer tampering and false insurance claims on vehicles. Facing these charges, Uribe became entangled in a bribery plot where he provided a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 convertible, valued at approximately $60,000, to Nadine Menendez starting in 2019. This gift was allegedly in exchange for Senator Menendez's influence to derail the Department of Justice's probe into Uribe's operations. In August 2022, Uribe pleaded guilty to seven counts of wire fraud related to his dealership's activities, admitting to defrauding insurance companies of over $1 million. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, providing evidence and testimony against the Menendez couple. During the 2024 trial in New York federal court, Uribe testified about the bribery arrangement, detailing how he sought Menendez's help through political connections and how the vehicle was used by Nadine Menendez for several years. His cooperation helped build the prosecution's case, though Uribe himself faced sentencing for his fraud convictions, receiving probation and restitution orders. Uribe's case highlights intersections of business, politics, and corruption in New Jersey's Hudson County, where ethnic and political networks play significant roles.