Defense witnesses in Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial to begin testimony

Washington — In the eighth week of his bribery trial, lawyers for Sen. Bob Menendez are expected to begin calling witnesses after the prosecution rested its case last week following testimony from 30 witnesses. 

The New Jersey Democrat and his wife, Nadine Menendez — both who have pleaded not guilty — are accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold and other bribes in exchange for political favors. 

Menendez's lawyers indicated last week that the senator's sister and his wife's sister would be among the first witnesses to testify on his behalf.