Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) addressed an expected indictment following reports that the Justice Department is preparing charges against him, saying he is “innocent of these charges” and still plans to seek re-election.
The Department of Justice searched Cuellar’s home in January 2022 as part of an investigation in Azerbaijan.
Cuellar, co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, said at the time that he was not a target of the investigation.
In his Friday statement, Cuellar did not address any specific pending charges, but suggested he seek legal advice about what appeared to be the subject of the allegations and also referenced his wife’s professional experience.
“Before taking any action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, which provided me with more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm. The actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people,” Cuellar wrote in a statement released through his campaign.
“Imelda and I have been married for 32 years. In addition to being an incredible wife and mother, she is an accomplished 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 wrong and offensive.”
Cuellar also said he tried to meet with prosecutors “to explain the facts and they refused to discuss the case with us or listen to our side.”
The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.
Cuellar, a moderate Democrat from a district along the U.S.-Mexico border, narrowly defeated primary opponent Jessica Cisneros.
“Let me be clear: I am running for re-election and I will win in November,” Cuellar said.
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