Dem Rep Pleads Innocence Ahead of DOJ Indictment

NewsWorthy.news
) – A Democratic representative and his wife have claimed innocence amid a federal indictment that accuses them of bribery and conspiracy.
Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife were charged on Friday May 3 in relation to their financial involvement with Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic. The 68-year-old lawmaker from the Lone Star State was joined by his wife in allegedly accepting almost $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijani energy company as well as a Mexican bank.
Cuellar returned the favor by positively influencing the country’s interests along with those of the bank. The illicit bribes are said to have occurred between 2014 and 2021. One of his scrutinized actions was the agreement to push pro-Azerbaijan bills in the United States legislature—including giving a speech on the House floor that promoted the country.

According to the Department of Justice, which launched the probe into the couple, Cuellar and his wife did not resist authorities when taken into custody. Their first court appearance with a Houston federal judge resulted in each being released on a bond of $100,000.