US Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife have been indicted on charges of accepting bribes totaling around $600,000, according to the Justice Department.
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The indictment alleges that the couple unlawfully received money from an Azerbaijani government-owned oil company and a Mexican bank.
Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat, has denied the charges, stating, “I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations.”
The couple appeared in court in Houston and were released on bail. If found guilty, they could face several decades in prison.
They are each facing multiple counts of conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, money laundering, and violating a ban on acting as agents of a foreign organization.
Credit: Getty Images
According to the Justice Department, the bribes were laundered through “sham consulting contracts” from 2014 to 2021 using middlemen and front companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, Henry’s wife.
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In exchange for the money, Henry Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence US foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and to push measures beneficial to the Mexican bank, including changes to money-laundering laws and attempts to block regulation of the payday lending industry.
The indictment also alleges that the Cuellars used the proceeds from the bribery schemes to pay off debts and make purchases for their family, including credit card payments, car payments, and luxury items.
Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, faces similar charges of taking bribes in exchange for influencing government policies.
In a statement, Henry Cuellar vowed to continue campaigning for re-election in November, 2024, maintaining that his actions in Congress were consistent with those of his colleagues and in the interest of the American people.
Cuellar, a former lawyer and customs broker, has served in Congress since 2004 and is known for his centrist views. He has previously survived primary challenges, including a narrow victory in 2022 against a progressive candidate.
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