The Department of Justice has indicted Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife Imelda on conspiracy and bribery charges. The indictment alleges that the couple accepted $600,000 in bribes between 2014 and 2021 from an Azerbaijan-based energy company and a bank in Mexico City to advance the former Soviet republic's interests in the U.S.
The Cuellars have been released on bond and are accused of involvement in 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 their ties to a group of U.S. businessmen.
In a statement, Cuellar maintained his innocence and defended his wife's qualifications, emphasizing her career in banking, tax, and consulting. The couple, aged 68 and 67, made their first court appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.
The DOJ stated that the bribe payments were allegedly laundered through sham consulting contracts and shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar. Congressman Cuellar is accused of using 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.
If convicted, the Cuellars could face more than 20 years in prison. Cuellar previously served as a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.
