Laredo, Texas – Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife face charges of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from foreign entities, as outlined in a federal court indictment.
The alleged bribery scheme reportedly spanned from late 2014 to at least November 2021. Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, appeared in court in Houston and were released on a $100,000 bond. They are accused of various charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official, violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal, and money laundering.
Cuellar vehemently denies the allegations, stating that their actions were in the interest of the American people and that they are innocent. The congressman expressed his commitment to continue his reelection campaign, defending his wife’s integrity and qualifications.
Prosecutors allege that the Cuellars engaged in two separate schemes to receive bribes from foreign entities, including an oil and gas company owned by the Government of Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico City. In exchange for the payments, Cuellar reportedly promised to take official actions benefiting these entities.
The couple is said to have received the bribe payments through shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, using the funds for various expenses, including tax payments, debt reduction, and extravagant purchases. Cuellar’s home and campaign office in Laredo were raided by the FBI in 2022 as part of the investigation.
Following the charges, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s spokesperson commented that Cuellar is entitled to the presumption of innocence but will step down temporarily from his position on a House Appropriations Subcommittee during the investigation. The National Republican Congressional Committee has called for Cuellar’s resignation in light of the allegations.
As the legal process unfolds, Cuellar’s political future hangs in the balance, with colleagues and critics alike scrutinizing his actions and decisions. The unfolding scandal sheds light on the complexities and ethical challenges faced by public officials in upholding their duties and responsibilities.