Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) spoke about an anticipated indictment after reports that the Justice Department is getting ready to charge him, asserting his innocence and confirming his intention to run for reelection.
The Justice Department investigated Cuellar’s home in January 2022 as part of a probe into Azerbaijan. Cuellar, a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, stated that he was not the focus of the investigation during that time.
In his Friday statement, Cuellar did not discuss any specific pending charges but indicated that he sought legal advice regarding the nature of the allegations and also mentioned his wife’s professional background.
“Before I took any action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who provided me with more than one written opinion, as well as an additional opinion from a national law firm. The actions I took in Congress were consistent with those of many of my colleagues and were in the interest of the American people,” Cuellar conveyed in a statement released through his campaign.
“Imelda and I have been married for 32 years. Besides being a wonderful wife and mother, she is a successful businesswoman with two degrees. She has spent her career working in banking, tax, and consulting. The claim that she is anything but qualified and hardworking is both inaccurate and insulting.”
Cuellar also mentioned that he attempted to meet with prosecutors “to explain the facts, but they declined to engage in a discussion with us or listen to our side.”
The Hill has contacted the Justice Department for a statement.
Cuellar, a moderate Democrat from a district along the U.S.-Mexico border,
barely defeated primary challenger Jessica Cisneros. “To make it clear, I am running for reelection and will secure victory this November,” Cuellar declared.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) addressed an expected indictment following reports the Justice Department is preparing charges against him, saying he is “innocent of these allegations” and still plans to seek reelection. The Justice Department searched Cuellar’s home in January 2022 as part of an investigation into Azerbaijan. Cuellar, a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus,…
DEVELOPING
