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Briana: Tonight, it is day one of Senator Bob Menendez's federal corruption trial.

Jury selection is well underway.

Menendez facing 16 counts, including bribery.

>> Every case is different.

It is hopeful but -- and that by the end of the week, they are getting opening statements.

Briana: Plus, rolling the dice.

Casino workers sue the state to enforce a stricter smoking ban.

>> I have been working in the casino for almost 30 years.

I have never heard many employees say, I would like to work in a smoking area.

6 dozens of students walk out of graduation showing solidarity -- solidarity for the Palestinians in Gaza.

Literacy groups team up to teach media literacy to help students decipher information in this digital age.

>> Definitely feel empowered by what I have learned because I know so much more about the way this entire thing works in the way the Internet itself functions.

Briana: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News."

with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: That evening.

Thank you for joining us this Monday night.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

For the second time in less than a decade, New Jersey senior U.S.

Senator tonight found himself inside a federal courtroom, on trial for bribery and corruption charges.

This time, Bob Menendez is fighting allegations he treated his political influence for cash, gold bars, and other luxuries to benefit three New Jersey businessman and a the government ofs Egypt and Qatar.

As jury selection got underway, the 70-year-old Democrat sat with his lawyers and two of his codefendants.

New Jersey businessman Fred Daibes and whale Hannah who are accused of paying Menendez the bribes.

A third businessman accepted a plea deal and is cooperating with the government, while the senator's wife, Nadine Menendez, a key figure in the case, will be tracked separately in July after she undergoes surgery for an undisclosed medical condition.

Tenant is is facing 16 felony charges, including bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent, of which he has pleaded not guilty.

The judge today said once the jury is selected, the trial is expected to last up to seven weeks.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan was one of a handful of reporters who got to the court house early enough to get a seat inside the room and joins us from Manhattan with the latest.

Rhonda?

Brenda: Most of today was spent on jury selection over at that federal courthouse in Manhattan.

It is day one of a trial that is expected to run six or seven weeks.

Senator Bob Menendez again fighting charges of a bribery and corruption.

He is accused of selling his influence, using it to benefit his co-conspirators, businessman in New Jersey, but also foreign governments, Egypt and Qatar.

In exchange, he got allegedly hundreds of thousands of dollars and gold bars that agents found stashed around his house that were used to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and his wife, Nadine.

This morning, it Menendez breezed into the courthouse at a brisk walk.

I saw him right outside the courtroom.

We exchanged a pleasant good morning.

He seemed upbeat.

He was smiling, talking with his attorneys.

But he has been through this before.

He beat a corruption wrap back in 2017 with a hung jury.

But it is apparent there is some tension between Menendez's legal team and the prosecution over documents that were requested, but were not turned over.

The judge admonished both of them.

He said "there has been too much gamesmanship here, and I wanted to end now.

Everyone should operate in good faith and I am not sure I have seen that."

Then, jury selection started.

Judge Stein essentially crowded 100 prospective jurors into courtroom a 23, and then he questioned them one at a time to see who can essentially make it through a seven week trial, 9:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday.

Those who remain are going to go through the regular void dear.

They will be subject to questions from the prosecution and defense.

They get 40 strikes.

Those who remain could get asked, do you have opinions about people who keep cash in their homes?

Have you ever purchased bars of gold or silver?

And, are people from New Jersey more likely to be guilty to commit crimes?

Now, let's talk about who was not here.

Two people were not in the courtroom, Nadine Menendez, the senator's wife.

She has also been charged in this indictment.

However she will be tried to separately.

She is apparently having surgery for an undisclosed medical issue.

And the prosecution's star witness, his name is Jose Uribe, one of the three New Jersey businessman that were originally indicted with Senator Menendez.

He flipped, essentially pleaded guilty to seven counts.

Now he will testify for the prosecution.

We will be getting a better idea of the defense and prosecution strategies during opening arguments.

At this point, this is where we stand with the jury.

About -- of the 100 that were brought in, 38 were struck as being not able to keep up with a seven week trial.

The judge is bringing in 50 more, and there will be more questions asked tomorrow.

I am Brenda Flanagan, reporting from Manhattan at the federal courthouse, for NJ Spotlight News.

Back to you.

Briana: Thank you.

As we mentioned, if this sounds familiar, that's because the senator was tried for corruption seven years ago.

That case in 2017 involved separate allegations that Menendez took bribes from a wealthy Florida eye doctor.

It ended in a mistrial.

An end is went on to win reelection and prosecutors in his current case allege more brazen corrupt acts.

The defense attorneys claim the government has been trying to get back at Menendez ever since.

Joining me to talk about the nature of the new charges and what we can expect throughout the trial is former federal prosecutor Chris Coomer Gianni.

Good to have you on the show.

Happy to get your perspective on this.

Let me ask you first, what is different about this case for Senator Menendez this go around?

What do prosecutors have to prove?

Chris: In this case, I think they have alleged a much more specific quid pro quo.

A standard required under federal jurists prudence to prove a conspiracy to commit extortion.

It has to be specific, if you do this for me, if you exercise this action on my behalf, I will give you this thing of value, which in this case, the indictment alleges is cash.

A luxury sports car and gold bars.

Briana: So they have to be able to connect those cash payments, the car, there was a diamond ring in the mix as well.

They have to be able directly connect those to the acts or favors that Menendez carried out?

Chris: That's right.

It has to be specifically linked to that.

It does not need to be in terms of the evidence provided to the jury.

You don't need to necessarily have it in writing, some return Confession or recording.

If this comes in evidence is enough for them to conclude that, then that is sufficient.

But the jury will get instructed that that quid pro quo has to be specific.

Several years ago, the Virginia governor, the Supreme Court struck down a prosecution under the same statute, and they ruled that this specificity was required.

Part of the reason that is is because an elected official like a senator in this case, they carry out official sworn obligations and duties of the burden on the government is to be able to show, he may have taken this official action or inaction, but the purpose of it was not because of his sworn senatorial obligations and duties.

It was to personally enrich himself or his loved ones or family.

They have to make that connection and prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Briana: With that said, would it be fair to assess the prosecution has a stronger case this time then the corruption charges that were brought against the senator back in 2017?

At trial ending in a -- that trial ending in a hung jury.

Chris: Leading from the written indictment returned in each, I think so.

They came loaded for bear in this particular indictment and they have superseded it, after one of the codefendants agreed to plead guilty and cooperate.

They went into great detail of what is commonly referred to as a speaking indictment, to not just the allegations, but plane and corroborate how they arrive at that.

The way they do that is through text communications, recordings, emails, and evidence of concealment.

Which is really valuable in a print -- in a criminal prosecution.

When a jury is left to determine if somebody has criminal intent to commit a crime, if you can show some kind of concealment where a person tried to cover his or her tracks, that is indicative of their mental state.

It goes very far in the government being able to prove their case.

Briana: What do you make of the jury selection process so far today?

Do you expect it will be difficult for the judge to seat a jury?

As Brenda explained in her reporting, some really colorful questions put before the perspective jurors.

Should we expect this to take several days?

Chris: I do know this, in the federal practice, especially in the district of New Jersey, the judges have it down to a science in expeditiously picking juries.

They will have hundreds of prospective juries waiting in the wings and they will bring in those jurors and go through the questioning process.

The parties will have challenges for cause, but the goal is to get to 12 plus, perhaps two or three alternates.

All the facts are difficult to assess.

Three cases different.

But it is hopeful that by the end of the week, they are getting to statements with the jury being sworn in.

Briana: Likelihood that we will see those infamous gold bars make a debut in the courtroom?

Chris: That's funny you ask that.

If I was the prosecutor, I would definitely want those in cat I want want the cash and physical evidence to be presented to the jury.

They don't necessarily get to take that stuff back to the jury room, but in the course of presenting the government's case, I would want that stuff to be used.

Briana: It is a strong visual.

Chris Gramiccioni, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, always good to have you on.

Thanks so much.

Chris: Likewise.

Have a good day.

Briana: Just across the street from them amend is trial, Former President Donald Trump was back in court today in the New York hush money trial, where his former fixer, Michael Cohen, is on the stand.

This weekend, Trump was on the campaign trail here in New Jersey where tens of thousands packed onto a Wildwood Beach for a rally.

He called it a witch hunt as he spoke to the crowd of supporters for roughly 90 minutes.

Vowing to turn New Jersey red in the November election, even though he lost the garden state twice by double digits.

And pledged to shut down sanctuary cities like Newark and Philadelphia, if he returns to the White House.

Trump also took multiple jabs at his Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden, over inflation and the economy.

He also referenced some locals taking hits on Chris Christie and Governor Murphy while inviting Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew on stage, calling him a star.

And weighed in on a critical race endorsing Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Cerrado Glasser for the primary over her opponent.

That is in a high-stakes election to replace Bob Menendez.

Political analyst Mike says the timing there was carefully crafted.

>> They have strong ties to the Trump campaign.

Her husband has strong ties to the Trump campaign.

This was an announcement that was designed for maximum benefit, maximum surprise.

Come into Curtis' backyard, right in the belly of the beast, and make the sentence meant.

Certainly, it does blow up that New Jersey Senate Republican primary campaign, to some extent.

Briana: 11 Democrats have thrown their hat in the ring to run in the special primary election, to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of Donald Payne Junior.

Filing petitions by the Friday deadline for the July 16 race, followed by a general election that will be held September 18.

The front runner appears to be Newark city Council President LaMonica McIver, who has gained endorsements from prominent leaders including the chair of the Essex County Democratic party, Leroy Jones.

Also in the mix, Derek Armistead, Hudson came to Commissioner Jerry Walker, state economic development officer Darrell Gottfried, pain Junior's former staffer Shayna Millie us, Britney Clay books who is a former East Orange councilwoman, among others.

On the Republican side, small business owner Carmen boo go filed to run.

Dozens of graduates used their commencement on Sunday to take one final stand against the war in Gaza.

About 60 students walked out of the ceremony held at the University Stadion in Piscataway wearing colors of the Palestinian flag and the traditional Middle Eastern headdress.

Some holding them high for everyone to see.

They quietly filed out about halfway through the graduation event, waiting until the commencement speaker was finished.

Students say the demonstration was not planned by a specific group, but it caught on after several graduates began walking out.

Similar commencement walkouts took place across the country over the weekend, following weeks of pro-Palestinian encampments and protests including on the wreckers New Brunswick campus, which students agreed to display on on May 2 after getting the administration to agree to some of their demands.

In our spotlight on business report, Atlantic City casino workers take their smoking battle to court.

Oral arguments began today in a lawsuit brought by casino table workers presented by the United Auto Workers union, who want to loophole closed in the state law banning indoor smoking that has allowed people to continue lighting up on casino floors.

Worker say it puts their health at risk, but another union representing separate casino workers say a full band would be bad for business.

As Ted Goldberg reports, they have the New Jersey Attorney General on their side.

>> The purpose of this law is to prevent sickness and death from secondhand smoke.

The purpose of this smoke-free air act is not to put money in casinos pockets.

Ted: The fight over smoking in casinos has moved from Trenton State House to a Trenton courthouse.

Attorney Nancy Erica Smith arguing in Superior Court that part of New Jersey's smoke-free air act is unconstitutional because of its carveout for casinos.

>> There is a fundamental constitutional right not to be excluded from a special law.

And there is a fundamental constitutional right that they are in the Constitution.

>> One thing she has not identified is a single case that the New Jersey Supreme Court has ever said, there is a right to safety.

Ted: This lawsuit involves two unions battling each other.

Unite here local 50 four has joined the states attorney general's office in stating that banning smoking in casinos with lead to massive job losses.

>> One estimate was 2500 persons in the first year.

That has a net affect on the health of New Jersey citizens.

Those families that lose their jobs may not be able to pay for food, and it affects their health.

Ted: Estimates have varied on how many jobs would be lost, if any.

The AG's office wants the lawsuit dismissed and argued lost revenue would be devastating to the state.

While the other union involved says banning smoking would attract more gamblers.

>> There is a betterment to having that fund available.

It is not a hypothetical.

It is an actual benefit, half $1 billion to help those people each year.

>> Not only does it affect the dealers, but it affects the general public, the two lists -- the tourists who may not -- they want to go to the casinos and have fun, but they have to deal with smoke.

Ted: The United Auto Workers union represents 1000 dealers and slot machine technicians.

Raymond Jensen Junior is the assistant director for the UAW region, spanning New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and says I 40's who have to work away from smoke are sent home.

The lawyer for the other union said in court that bartenders actually prefer to work around smoke.

>> Gamblers pay more in terms of tips.

That is why, in the economic interest, bar keepers, bartenders, bar backs, and cocktail servers like to work in those sections.

>> That is absolutely ridiculous paired I have worked in the casino for 30 years.

I have never heard any employee say I would like to work in the smoking area.

Smoking customers don't tip more than non-smoking customers.

Ted: Pete is a dealer at bar got a and the cofounder of C's, a group of casino employees hoping to get smoking banned from their workplace.

They thought the first day of oral arguments went their way.

>> This is an indefensible case.

Ted: So did State Senator Joseph Vitale.

He chairs the health committee which passed a bill that would ban smoking in casinos completely.

That was four months ago.

He thinks that Bill can pass the full Senate.

>> I am optimistic.

I have taken on tough issues in the past.

I understand the importance of this.

So do legislators.

If this was put up tomorrow for a vote, and there was no outside influence or pressure, as vote would pass overwhelmingly.

>> Have been talking to legislators a lot in the last couple weeks.

We think we have the votes to pass it.

We are calling on the Senate president and the bill up.

Ted: To judge in this case said a written ruling could come in a few days while others anticipate and might take weeks.

Intent and, I am Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Stocks wavered to start the week with investors attention turned to a key inflation report set to be out in a few we -- few days.

Here is how the markets closed.

>> Support for the business report is sponsored by Riverview Jazz, presenting the 11th of Jazz Festival May 29 to June 2.

Event details including performance schedules and location are online at JerseycityjazzFestival.com.

Briana: New Jersey became the first state in the nation last year requiring students to learn about media literacy during their K-12 education.

Sweeping law signed by Governor Murphy is designed to combat misinformation, and help students navigate social media and news outlets so they can determine which sources are credible.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis checked in with a group of Princeton middle schoolers to see if their lessons are making a difference.

>> It says it was recorded on a documentary, but they did not show up.

I think it's fake.

Joanna: These middle school students were charged with determining whether two images from the Internet are real or fake, using rivers image searching.

It is a critical skill they are learning in their media literacy course at Princeton Montessori school.

>> Kane disguises himself in order to take various pictures of wildlife.

That actually makes sense.

So it's real.

>> We have been looking for sources and we found it is a TV series.

>> It's staged.

>> We are thinking it might have been staged.

>> Such a convincing video.

.

300 million views on TikTok.

All of this to say, it is not easy to determine real from fake.

Joanna: Their teacher is a member of the newsletters a project, in nonprofit organization working with teachers to develop best practices around teaching media literacy.

>> My hope and dreams for the students when they walk out of the classroom is to for them -- is for them to feel empowered to analyze information, if need be, and be more informed consumers.

Joanna: The Murphy administration passed a law requiring media literacy education for all students grades K-12, but a librarian who teaches media literacy in South Brunswick says the initiative is stalled.

>> The bill passed for an information literacy standards to be developed.

But they have not started yet.

I'm one of the volunteers who has stepped up to try to write the standards.

We have been waiting since January of 23 to get started.

The state of New Jersey needs to get this going.

In a more timely fashion.

Joanna: She teaches middle schoolers and along with Sammy, points to the rapidly changing world of AI that is infiltrating kids screens on a daily basis.

>> It is good to catch them at this time of their lives while they are just beginning.

I talked to them about standard based news, I use the literacy project which has great resources for educators.

And they get it.

My middle school students get the importance of checking their sources and verifying information.

>> And allowed me to make sure I don't get duped or anything.

Which could help to keep me -- keep me mentally stable, could make sure I don't lose money on a scam or something.

It's just always good to feel like you know the truth.

>> There is something really important, like a national war.

If it is about Ukraine war happening, in something that might change my perspective on politics, it's very important for me to have all of this additional information.

>> I definitely feel empowered by what I have learned, it because I now know so much more about the way this entire thing works, in the way the Internet itself functions.

>> There is any downside to all of this education -- >> When I'm sitting and scrolling on YouTube, I don't really want to do all of that extra work.

But I feel obligated to.

Joanna: Burden of great responsibility these students have, yet so many students around the state without a media literacy program are still lacking.

In Princeton, I am Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: That is going to do it for us tonight.

Forget to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen anytime.

I am Breanna video nosy -- I am Breanna Vannozzi.

Thank you for being with us.

Have a great evening.

We will see you back here tomorrow night.

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♪