Federal prosecutors are expected to announce an indictment against Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas. Cuellar indicated in a statement that he and his wife were charged and stated they are innocent of the accusations. He plans to continue seeking reelection to the House in November. The details of the indictment, including the nature of the allegations and the number of charges Cuellar faces, were not immediately available. Cuellar stated that he sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee and a national law firm before taking any action in response to the charges.
In January 2022, the FBI conducted a search of Cuellar’s home in Laredo and his campaign office. Cuellar’s lawyer stated that the congressman was not the target of a federal investigation at that time. The search was part of an investigation related to Azerbaijan and several U.S. businessmen. Cuellar’s office stated that he was cooperating fully with the investigation and denied any wrongdoing. It is unclear if the indictment announced stemmed from this search. Cuellar represents the 28th Congressional District, stretching from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border, and faced a tough primary challenge during the 2022 election cycle but narrowly defeated his opponent.
Cuellar is known as a moderate Democrat and is the only remaining self-identified “pro-life” Democrat in the House, reflecting differing views within the Democratic Party on abortion rights. He faced a challenging primary race from immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros, his former intern, and narrowly won in a runoff election. Cuellar was also in the news in October 2023 when he reported being carjacked by three armed assailants while returning home in Washington, D.C. Cuellar’s legal team stated that he and his wife requested a meeting with prosecutors in Washington, D.C. to explain the facts, but the request was declined. Cuellar maintains his innocence and intends to continue his reelection campaign.
Overall, the details of the indictment against Cuellar, including the specific charges and nature of the allegations, remain unclear. Cuellar asserts his innocence, stating that everything he has done in his congressional role has been to serve the people of South Texas. He sought legal advice before taking action regarding the charges and cooperated with investigators in a previous search of his home and campaign office. Cuellar represents a diverse district stretching from San Antonio to the border, and he has faced challenges in previous elections, including a close primary race in 2022. The news of the indictment against Cuellar comes amid ongoing political developments and challenges within the Democratic Party.
