(LibertyInsider.org) – A Democratic Party leader and his wife are facing charges in connection with a series of alleged schemes involving bribes from multiple foreign entities. The DOJ formally indicted Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, on an extensive list of crimes, including conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud, on April 28.
According to the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, Cuellar, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is accused of forming secret connections with a state-owned oil company from Azerbaijan and a private bank headquartered in Mexico City. In late 2014, he and his wife allegedly agreed to take bribes from both organizations.
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar & His Wife Charged with Bribery, Unlawful Foreign Influence & Money Laundering Schemes
Congressman Allegedly Accepted $600,000 in Bribes from Two Foreign Entities in Exchange for Official Acts as a Member of Congress
đź”—: https://t.co/V8jzilwdWR pic.twitter.com/aYBaTjSqvN
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 3, 2024
In exchange for nearly $600,000 in payments over seven years, Henry Cuellar reportedly promised to wield his political power to directly and indirectly benefit both entities. Court documents allege that he pushed for foreign policy changes in Azerbaijan’s favor and, at one point, even delivered a speech to the House floor on the country’s behalf.
Representative Cuellar also stands accused of pressuring high-ranking American officials into making decisions specifically aimed at benefiting the Mexican bank. He reportedly advocated for changes to money laundering laws and pushed to block payday loan regulations.
Imelda Cuellar’s role in the years-long schemes played out behind the scenes rather than in full view of Congress. Prosecutors say she was responsible for laundering each of the payouts through shell companies under her direct control as they rolled in. She reportedly worked to obscure the origin and nature of the payouts by listing them as legitimate fees on “sham consulting contracts” that didn’t actually exist.
In a statement to Border Report on May 3, Representative Cuellar vehemently denied any wrongdoing. “I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations,” he said. “Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.”
Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Cuellar agreed to take a leave of absence from his role as a Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee until the matter is resolved. He maintains the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, House Democratic Caucus Rule 24 states that any member facing charges that carry a potential prison sentence of more than two years must temporarily step aside.
Copyright 2024, LibertyInsider.org
