Henry Cuellar

Henry Cuellar was a Democratic US Congressman representing Texas's 28th congressional district (Laredo). He and his wife Imelda were indicted in May 2024 on 14 federal counts including two counts of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, honest services wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and five counts of money laundering. Prosecutors alleged that from 2014 through at least November 2021, Cuellar accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan's state-run oil and gas company — payments laundered through fake consulting contracts with shell companies controlled by his wife, who prosecutors said performed "little or no legitimate" work under them — and from a Mexican bank. In exchange, he allegedly shaped US policy in favor of Azerbaijan, including inserting language into defense spending legislation to prioritize regional ties and working to kill pro-Armenia legislation. He also allegedly tipped off a Mexican bank executive about upcoming payday lending regulation. He was additionally charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of Azerbaijan's government. Cuellar denied all charges. Trump pardoned him in December 2025 before the case went to trial; he was never convicted.