(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In a gigantic new embarrassment for the Democratic Party, federal prosecutors have charged Democrat US Congressman Henry Cuellar over allegations of bribery and money laundering tied to a bank in Mexico and an energy company in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan.
See a video of Cuellar’s remarks claiming innocence below!
According to the indictment, Cuellar, a Democrat representative from Texas, received approximately $600,000 over seven years, extending to at least November 2021, to promote the interests of both entities.
“In exchange for the bribes paid by the Azerbaijani oil and gas company, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence US foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan,” the US Justice Department stated.
“In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking US executive branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank,” it added.
The allegations extend to accuse Cuellar of funneling the illicit funds through shell companies managed by his wife, Imelda Cuellar, who faces charges alongside him, Insider Paper reports.
Following their surrender to authorities and subsequent release on bail this Friday, both are confronting multiple charges, including bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering.
If convicted, they face potentially lengthy prison sentences.
Cuellar, representing a district extending from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border, firmly denied the accusations. He affirmed his intention to continue his political career.
“The actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people,” he said in a statement.
This legal challenge follows a previous investigation in 2022, where FBI agents searched Cuellar’s home and campaign office as part of an inquiry into the connections between Azerbaijan’s oil wealth and several US businessmen.
Despite being a centrist and one of the few anti-abortion Democrats, Cuellar successfully overcame a primary challenge from a more progressive opponent. After the allegations surfaced, he was reelected.
Addressing the situation, Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democratic minority in the House, remarked that Cuellar is “entitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence” but noted that Cuellar would relinquish his role on a key subcommittee.
Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife were indicted on more than a dozen federal charges alleging they accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from an oil company owned by the government of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank, the Justice Department said Friday. pic.twitter.com/unqz0Q2KaR
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) May 3, 2024
There is now a Democrat in the U.S. Senate, Bob Menendez, and the U.S. House, Henry Cuellar, who have been criminally charged in federal corruption investigations for allegedly taking bribes and acting as agents of foreign nations
Democrats have not forced either one to resign pic.twitter.com/GtrMtRtpN8
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 5, 2024
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