On May 3, 2024, Henry Cuellar faced charges of bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering. It’s alleged that both he and his wife received $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company entirely owned and operated by the Government of Azerbaijan, as well as from a bank based in Mexico City, spanning the period from 2014 to 2021.
The money was allegedly laundered through fake consulting agreements and shell companies overseen by Henry Cuellar’s wife, Imelda Cuellar. Henry Cuellar reportedly agreed to sway U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and aid the Mexican bank with legislative affairs.
The charges encompass conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery of a federal official, wire fraud related to honest services, breaching the prohibition on acting as foreign agents, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering itself. These offenses carry potential maximum sentences of up to 20 years of imprisonment.
