'Another one bites the dust': Internet enraged as Democratic representative Henry Cuellar and his wife get indicted by DOJ

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas was indicted by the Department of Justice on conspiracy and bribery charges on Friday, May 3. His wife has also been indicted in an investigation connected to $600,000 in bribes they accepted from an Azerbaijan-based energy company and a bank in Mexico to advance the former Soviet republic's interests in the US. 

In 2022, federal law enforcement raided Cuellar's house and office as part of an investigation into a group of US businessmen and their ties to the country. The representative and his office agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

Henry Cuellar releases statement following indictment 

Cuellar released a statement on Friday, May 3, following reports of the upcoming indictment, declaring both himself and his wife innocent without specifying the charges. I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations," wrote Cuellar, as per Fox News. "Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of Texas," he added.

Henry Cuellar specifically defended his wife

The Texas representative specifically defended his wife and her qualifications, once again without specifying the nature of the indictments.

"Imelda and I have been married 32 years. On top of being an amazing wife and mother, she's an accomplished businesswoman with two degrees. She spent her career working with banking, tax, and consulting. The allegation that she is anything but qualified and hard working is both wrong and offensive," he wrote. Cuellar previously served as a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.

What did the Department of Justice say?

According to the indictment, from 2014 to 2021, the Cuellars allegedly accepted roughly $600,000 in bribes from the two foreign entities in exchange for the congressman performing official acts.

“The bribe payments were allegedly laundered, pursuant to sham consulting contracts, through a series of front companies and middlemen into shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, who performed little to no legitimate work under the contracts,” the DOJ said in a statement, as per NBC News.

“In exchange for the bribes paid by the Azerbaijani oil and gas company, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence US foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan," DOJ continued, adding "In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking US Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank.”

What charges do Henry Cuellar and his wife face?

The congressman and his wife are each charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official and to have a public official act as an agent of a foreign principal; two counts of bribery of a federal official; two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal; one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering; and five counts of money laundering.

Internet reacts to Henry Cuellar's indictment by DOJ 

Internet also reacted to the congressman and his wife's indictment by DOJ. One user wrote, "Shocking another democratic foreign agent working to subvert the rule of law and make himself wealthy by treasonous acts. Typical corrupt liberal," while another added, "Welp, another one bites the dust. Politics as usual, amirite?" 

"GREED has become so prevalent with our federal and state politicians. It's even extended to the courts now, prosecutors and judges. I truly believe if honest Abe Lincoln became a senator tomorrow in 2 years he'd be on the take! It is what it is. Just Saying," said one user and another tweeted, "Wait, Republicans told me the DOJ only goes after republicans…." 

"He should be forced to resign just like Santos," opined one and another echoed, "In a fair world this is exactly what Biden would have been charged with because that's exactly what he was doing too." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.