Henry Cuellar Azerbaijan Bribery Case
Case Timeline
Azerbaijan Consulting Contract Begins (December 2014)
The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), wholly owned by the Government of Azerbaijan, allegedly began making payments to the Cuellars through shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar and two of the couple’s children.
SOCAR allegedly paid $25,000 per month under what prosecutors called a “sham consulting contract.”
Alleged Bribery Scheme (2014-2021)
Over approximately seven years, the Cuellars allegedly accepted approximately $598,000 in bribes from two foreign entities:
- SOCAR (Azerbaijan) - State-owned oil and gas company
- Banco Azteca - Mexican bank headquartered in Mexico City
In exchange, Rep. Cuellar allegedly:
- Influenced legislation favorable to Azerbaijan
- Added favorable report language to official documents
- Delivered a House floor speech supporting Azerbaijan
- Worked to kill legislation prioritized by Armenian interests
- Co-chaired the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus
FBI Raid (January 19, 2022)
The FBI raided Rep. Cuellar’s Laredo residence and campaign office as part of the federal investigation.
Federal Indictment (May 2024)
A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas indicted both Henry and Imelda Cuellar on 12 counts:
| Charge | Count | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Bribery of a Federal Official | 2 | 15 years each |
| Conspiracy to Commit Bribery | 2 | 5 years each |
| Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud | 2 | 20 years each |
| Acting as Agent of Foreign Principal (FARA) | 2 | 2 years each |
| Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering | 1 | 20 years |
| Money Laundering | 5 | 20 years each |
Political Advisers Plead Guilty (2024-2025)
Two of Cuellar’s political advisers pleaded guilty to conspiring with Cuellar to launder over $200,000 in bribes from Banco Azteca (the Mexican bank).
Charges Partially Dismissed (August 14, 2025)
Federal Judge Lee H. Rosenthal dismissed two of the charges against the Cuellars.
Criminal Trial Scheduled (April 2026)
The criminal trial was scheduled to start in April 2026.
Pardon (December 3, 2025)
President Trump announced he was pardoning both Henry and Imelda Cuellar before their criminal trial took place.
Trump’s Justification: Trump claimed, without presenting evidence, that the Cuellars were prosecuted because Rep. Cuellar had been critical of President Biden’s immigration policies. Trump wrote that Cuellar “bravely spoke out against Open Borders” and accused Biden of going after the congressman “for speaking the TRUTH.”
Cuellar Files for Reelection (December 3, 2025)
On the same day as the pardon, Cuellar filed for reelection as a Democrat, quieting speculation he might switch parties.
House Ethics Investigation Continues (Ongoing)
The House Ethics Committee investigation, which began in May 2024 and was reauthorized in July 2025, continues despite the pardon. Presidential pardons do not affect congressional ethics proceedings.
Background
Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar (born September 19, 1955) is one of eight children born to migrant farm workers in Laredo, Texas. He is the most credentialed member of Congress and has served in the U.S. House since 2005.
Cuellar is a conservative Democrat known for breaking with his party on immigration, firearms, and abortion rights. He co-chaired the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.
Imelda Rios Cuellar (approximately 67 years old at time of pardon) is Henry Cuellar’s wife and allegedly facilitated the bribery scheme through shell companies.
The Bribery Scheme
Azerbaijan Connection
- Payments routed through shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar and two children
- SOCAR paid $25,000 per month under “sham consulting contract”
- Prosecutors alleged Imelda “performed little or no legitimate work” for the money
- Azerbaijan is known for “caviar diplomacy” - using gifts and payments to influence foreign officials
Mexico Connection
- Banco Azteca, a Mexican bank, also allegedly paid bribes
- Two Cuellar political advisers pleaded guilty to laundering $200,000 in Banco Azteca bribes
Co-Defendants
- Imelda Rios Cuellar - Wife, alleged recipient of sham consulting payments
- Two Cuellar children - Allegedly owned shell companies used to route payments
Related Guilty Pleas
Two Cuellar political advisers pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder bribes from Banco Azteca.
Analysis
This pardon is notable for several reasons:
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Pre-trial pardon - The Cuellars were pardoned before their scheduled April 2026 trial
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Bipartisan criticism - The pardon of a Democrat by a Republican president drew criticism from multiple directions
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Armenian-American concerns - The Armenian National Committee of America condemned the pardon, arguing Cuellar advanced Azerbaijan’s interests “at the direct expense of the Constitutional rights of Armenian Americans”
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Ongoing ethics investigation - Despite the pardon, the House Ethics Committee investigation continues
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Immigration justification - Trump justified the pardon based on Cuellar’s criticism of Biden’s immigration policies, not the merits of the case
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Foreign influence - The case highlighted concerns about foreign governments using payments to influence U.S. legislators