The Department of Justice has indicted Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife Imelda on conspiracy and bribery charges. The charges stem from allegations that the couple accepted $600,000 in bribes between 2014 and 2021 from an Azerbaijan-based energy company and a bank in Mexico City in exchange for advancing the interests of Azerbaijan in the U.S. Cuellar and his wife have been released on bond and are accused of two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering.
Federal law enforcement raided Cuellar’s house and office in 2022 as part of an investigation into a group of U.S. businessmen and their ties to Azerbaijan. The representative and his office have agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Cuellar released a statement asserting his innocence and that of his wife, emphasizing that everything he has done in Congress has been to serve the people of Texas. The congressman specifically defended his wife’s qualifications, stating that she is an accomplished businesswoman with two degrees and a career in banking, tax, and consulting.
Cuellar and his wife, both in their late 60s, made their first court appearance in Houston in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo. The indictment alleges that bribes were laundered through sham consulting contracts and shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, who allegedly performed little to no legitimate work. In exchange for the bribes, Cuellar is accused of agreeing to use his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and to influence legislative activity and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials on behalf of the Mexican bank.
The couple faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery of a federal official, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and money laundering. If convicted, they could face more than 20 years in prison. Cuellar, a former co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, has denied the allegations against him and his wife. The Associated Press contributed to the report on the indictments, which have brought significant attention to the congressman and his involvement with foreign entities and potential corruption.
The indictment of Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife Imelda on conspiracy and bribery charges related to alleged bribes from an Azerbaijan-based energy company and a bank in Mexico City has led to their release on bond. The charges include accusations of bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering in two schemes. Federal law enforcement raided Cuellar’s home and office in connection with an investigation into ties to Azerbaijan, and the congressman has declared both himself and his wife as innocent while agreeing to cooperate with the investigation.
Cuellar defended his wife’s qualifications and professional background, stating that she is an accomplished businesswoman with experience in banking, tax, and consulting. The indictment alleges that bribe payments were laundered through sham consulting contracts and shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, with little to no legitimate work being performed. The couple faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery of a federal official, and money laundering, potentially leading to more than 20 years in prison if convicted. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Cuellar maintained his innocence and dedication to serving the people of Texas.
