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 Senator Robert Menendez, pleaded guilty on Friday in Manhattan.

Mr. Uribe had been accused of providing Nadine Menendez, the senator’s wife, with a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for Mr. Menendez’s efforts to intercede in an insurance-fraud investigation in New Jersey.

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

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

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

Mr. Uribe entered his guilty plea 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.