Rep. Henry Cuellar and his spouse had been indicted on Friday.
Might 3 2024, Revealed 6:00 p.m. ET
Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar and his spouse, Imelda, have been indicted on fees of cash laundering and bribery, RadarOnline.com.
The Justice Division launched the indictment on Friday following a years-long investigation, which included a raid on the couple’s Laredo, Texas house in January 2022.
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Cuellar is accused of accepting $600,000 in international bribes.
The couple’s fees are associated to alleged ties to a financial institution in Mexico and an Azerbaijan-controlled oil and fuel firm. Cuellar is accused of utilizing his workplace to affect U.S. coverage for Azerbaijan, in keeping with NBC Information.
Cuellar was a one-time co-chair for the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.
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The costs are associated to the couple’s alleged ties to a financial institution in Mexico and an Azerbaijan oil and fuel firm.
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The Justice Division claims the couple accepted round $600,000 in bribes from two international entities in alternate for utilizing his workplace “to affect U.S international coverage.”
“The bribe funds had been allegedly laundered, pursuant to sham consulting contracts, via a sequence of entrance firms and middlemen into shell firms owned by Imelda Cuellar, who carried out little to no official work underneath the contracts,” the Justice Division stated.
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Cuellar’s house and workplace was raided in 2022 in relation to a federal investigation in Azerbaijan.
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“In alternate for the bribes paid by the Azerbaijani oil and fuel firm, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to make use of his workplace to affect U.S. international coverage in favor of Azerbaijan,” the assertion continued.
“In alternate for the bribes paid by the Mexican financial institution, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to affect legislative exercise and to advise and stress high-ranking U.S. Govt Department officers concerning measures helpful to the financial institution.”
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The congressman denied any wrongdoing.
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Again in January 2022, the congressman’s house and marketing campaign workplace in Laredo had been raided by the FBI as a part of a federal investigation into Azerbaijan and U.S. businessmen linked to the nation.
Months later in April 2022, Cuellar’s lawyer, Joshua Berman, claimed federal authorities advised him the congressman was not the goal of the investigation.
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Earlier than Friday’s fees had been launched, Cuellar denied any wrongdoing and revealed he plans to run for re-election in November.
“I wish to be clear that each my spouse and I are harmless of those allegations. The whole lot I’ve accomplished in Congress has been to serve the individuals of South Texas,” Cuellar stated earlier than later including, “The actions I took in Congress had been in keeping with the actions of a lot of my colleagues and within the curiosity of the American individuals.”
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Cuellar then defended his spouse of 32 years, calling her “an incredible spouse and mom.”
“[S[he’s an achieved businesswoman with two levels. She spent her profession working with banking, tax, and consulting. The allegation that she is something however certified and exhausting working is each incorrect and offensive.”
“Let me be clear, I’m operating for re-election and can win this November,” Cuellar added.