At former Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption trial last year, his defense team cast him as an unwitting pawn in a global bribery scheme orchestrated by his wife, Nadine Menendez, that netted the couple nearly $1 million in gold bars, cash, and other valuables.

New Jersey Sen. “Gold Bar Bob’’ Menendez was a no-show for the start of his wife’s bribery trial Monday — even though a judge delayed his prison stint so he could “assist” her during her case. Nadine Menendez,

Nadine Menendez did the “dirty work” to get gold bars, envelopes stuffed with cash and a new Mercedes-Benz convertible for herself and her husband, now-convicted former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, federal prosecutors said during opening statements in her criminal trial Monday.