- Texas Democrat’s Home Raised by FBI in January 2022
Deputy Henry Cuellar is expected to be charged by the Justice Department on Friday afternoon, according to multiple reports.
The Texas Democrat’s home was raided by the FBI in January 2022 as part of an investigation into his ties to Azerbaijani businessmen.
Cuellar insisted on his innocence in response to this news – and suggested that his wife would be indicted.
“I want to be clear that my wife and I are innocent of these allegations.”
“The actions I took in Congress were consistent with those of many of my colleagues and in the best interests of the American people,” he continued.
The embattled lawmaker said he plans to continue his campaign for re-election despite the indictment.
Cuellar said he and his wife attempted to meet with prosecutors and “refused to discuss the case or hear our side.”
“Imelda and I have been married for 32 years. In addition to being an amazing wife and mother, she is an accomplished businesswoman with two degrees. She has spent her career in banking, tax and consulting. The allegation that she is anything but qualified and hardworking is both false and offensive.
Cuellar said that at the time of the raid, he was cooperating with law enforcement and did not believe he was the target of the investigation. It is not yet clear whether the indictment will be related to this investigation.
The nine-term Democrat is a former co-chair of Azerbaijan’s Congressional Caucus, an obscure group dedicated to strengthening relations with the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation.
Deputy Henry Cuellar is expected to be charged by the Justice Department on Friday afternoon, according to multiple reports.
Cuellar insisted on his innocence in response to this news – and suggested that his wife would be indicted.
In this capacity, Cuellar is known to have met several times with Azerbaijani officials, including the country’s ambassador to the United States, Elin Suleymanov.
Azerbaijan has been harshly criticized in the past for bribing foreign officials and diplomats to secure its foreign policy goals and legitimize questionable election results.
The practice is so common in the country that it is known as “caviar diplomacy,” but it is unclear whether the FBI is investigating similar allegations regarding Cuellar.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (right) meets with Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the United States in 2013. The FBI raid on Cuellar’s home is believed to be linked to an investigation into Azerbaijan’s activities in the United States.
FBI agents were seen conducting a “court-authorized” investigation at the Texas home of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who has pledged to cooperate fully.
Since 2004, Cuellar has represented a district that stretches from the U.S. border with Mexico, near McAllen, to Laredo, and north to the eastern suburbs of San Antonio.
The moderate Democrat has a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Public records show Cuellar purchased his luxury Laredo home in 2010.
The 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom home located in a gated community is currently valued at $825,000 by Realtor.com.
Cuellar, who represents much of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, has sharply criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their handling of a surge in illegal border crossings.
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