Lobbying was first introduced in the United States, but corruption has also become a prevalent issue. Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, were recently charged with conspiracy and accepting bribes from foreign entities. The Department of Justice revealed that the Cuellars had been receiving money from an oil and gas company owned by the Azerbaijani government and a Mexican bank from December 2014 until at least November 2021. The corruption is estimated at $600,000 (557,000 euros).
The federal indictment accuses Cuellar of promoting Azerbaijan’s foreign policy and influencing high-ranking U.S. officials in exchange for remuneration. Imelda Cuellar allegedly signed false consulting contracts with shell companies to launder the money received from her husband. Cuellar’s involvement in legislative measures regarding Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia and dealings with the Bank of Mexico in exchange for influence over federal financial regulation are also highlighted in the indictment.
Cuellar, known for his conservative views, has been a U.S. Representative since 2005, representing a district in Texas bordering Mexico. The charges against him and his wife carry significant penalties, including corruption, conspiracy, money laundering, and concealing money laundering. Despite maintaining their innocence, the Cuellars face potentially long prison sentences if found guilty. They appeared before a magistrate judge in Houston and were released on bail.
The Democratic House leader, Hakeem Jeffries, stated that Cuellar would step down from a homeland security appropriations committee during the investigation. Cuellar has the right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The legal process will determine the outcome of these serious allegations against the congressman and his wife.