Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was indicted by the Department of Justice and taken into custody on Friday following an extensive investigation into alleged illicit ties with Azerbaijan. The probe included a raid of Cuellar’s home and campaign office in 2022.
Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner broke the news, citing sources, and stated, “Henry Cuellar has been indicted as part of an investigation into United States business people with foreign connections. The feds raided Cuellar’s home and his campaign office in 2022. And at the time, his counsel had said he was not the target of the investigation. Cuellar just released a statement saying that he and his wife are innocent.”
The indictment, made public later in the day, contains charges against Cuellar for allegedly accepting over $600,000 in foreign bribes and engaging in money laundering. Poltico’s Kyle Cheney pointed out that if convicted, Cuellar and his wife, who is also under indictment, could face lengthy prison sentences.
Cuellar represents Texas’s 28th district, which stretches from San Antonio’s suburbs to the U.S.-Mexico border. The Cook Political Report rates it as a D +3 district. Cuellar is the last pro-life Democrat in the House. In response to the indictment, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced that Cuellar will take leave as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee while the case is ongoing.
In a statement, Cuellar maintained his innocence, saying,
“I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations. Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.” He added that they had requested a meeting with Washington, DC prosecutors to explain the facts, but the prosecutors declined to discuss the case with them or hear their side.
Cuellar also vowed to run for re-election in November despite the charges, stating, “These allegations have been difficult on my family. But, with your prayers, we will overcome. As the son of migrant workers, I was taught to wake up early and work hard. That’s exactly what I’ve always done for the people of South Texas. I’ve devoted my life’s work to creating jobs here, improving education, and securing our border. Let me be clear, I’m running for re-election and will win this November.”
