NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors began their case against the wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez by arguing she “did the dirty work” to collect bribes for the couple. “They were partners in crime, partners in corruption and partners in greed,

Lawyers gave opening statements Monday in the trial of Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who was convicted last year of accepting bribes of cash and gold.

But a lawyer for Ms. Menendez, the wife of former Senator Robert Menendez, told jurors at the start of her bribery trial that she lacked “knowledge and intent.”