Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) became the first House Democrat to call on Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to resign hours after he was indicted on bribery and money laundering charges. became.
“While the hurdles for federal prosecution are high, confidence in our government is low,” Phillips said in a statement posted on his social media. “That’s why the indicted officials and candidates, including Sen. Bob Menendez, Donald Trump, and Rep. Henry Cuellar, should resign or cease their campaigns.”
United States senator. bob menendez, Also be Democratic Party faces obstruction of justice charges related to bribery allegations. Former President Trump is currently on trial for allegedly paying hush money before the 2016 election.
Democratic Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar indicted by Justice Department on conspiracy and bribery charges
U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was indicted on Friday on bribery charges. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
of Ministry of Justice Cuellar was indicted Friday in connection with $600,000 in bribes he allegedly received from 2014 to 2021 from an Azerbaijan-based energy company and a Mexico City bank to further the former Soviet republic’s interests in the United States. and his wife, Imelda, were indicted on charges of conspiracy and bribery.
The couple has been released on bail, Fox News confirmed.
Federal law enforcement searched Cuellar’s home and office in 2022. part of the investigation Introducing a group of American businessmen and their ties to the country. The representative and the agency agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
Cuellar issued a statement Friday following reports of upcoming charges, declaring both he and his wife innocent without specifying the charges.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) is the first Democratic lawmaker to call on fellow Democrat Cuellar to resign. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I want to make it clear that my wife and I are innocent of these allegations,” Cuellar wrote. “Everything I did in Congress was to serve the people of Texas.”
of Texas state representative He specifically defended his wife and her qualifications, again without specifying the charges.
Sen. Bob Manendez may censure wife Nadine in federal corruption trial: court documents
Sen. Bob Menendez (D.N.J.) also faces federal charges. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
“Imelda and I have been married for 32 years. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, she is an accomplished businesswoman with two degrees. She has spent her career in banking, tax and consulting. She has no qualifications or qualifications whatsoever. “Working hard is both wrong and offensive,” he wrote.
Cuellar, 68, and his wife, 67, made their first court appearance Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.
“The bribe payments were allegedly laundered through a series of front companies and intermediaries to a shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar, pursuant to a sham consulting contract,” the Justice Department said in the indictment. “They performed little or no legitimate work.” “In exchange for bribes paid by Azerbaijani oil and gas companies, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan. In exchange for bribes paid by Congressman Cuellar, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence “conduct legislative activity and advise and pressure senior officials in the U.S. executive branch regarding measures beneficial to the bank.” It is an object. ”
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They were each charged with two counts of bribery of a federal official and conspiracy to cause a public official to act on behalf of a foreign principal, two counts of bribery of a federal official, two counts of honest services wire fraud, and two counts of conspiracy. ing. One count of violation of the prohibition on public servants acting as agents of foreign principals, one count of conspiracy to commit concealed money laundering, and five counts of money laundering.
FOX News’ Chad Pergram, Kelly Fares and Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report.
