U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a long-standing moderate Democrat from Texas, and his wife, Imelda, were recently indicted on federal conspiracy and bribery charges. The couple was accused of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a Mexican bank in exchange for advancing their interests in the U.S.
Despite the indictment, Cuellar, who has been in office since 2004, maintained his innocence and vowed to continue his bid for an 11th term in November. The couple surrendered to authorities, appeared before a federal judge in Houston, and were released on $100,000 bond each.
Cuellar’s allies in the district expressed surprise over the indictments but said they would continue to support his reelection. Cuellar’s moderate politics have helped him maintain support in areas where Democrats have lost ground, such as Starr County.
The indictment also alleges that the payments to the couple went through a Texas-based shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar and two of their children. The indictment further claims that the contract between Imelda Cuellar and the Azerbaijan energy company was a sham used to disguise the corrupt agreement between Henry Cuellar and the government of Azerbaijan.
If convicted, the couple could face decades in prison and forfeiture of any property linked to the alleged scheme. Despite the charges, Cuellar remains a prominent figure in Texas politics, known for his moderate stance on various issues.