A judge on Thursday accepted a request from federal prosecutors to dismiss two of the 14 charges against Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, and his wife, as part of a federal bribery and conspiracy indictment. The trial, originally scheduled for September, has been postponed until next year.
Reports indicate that the prosecutors from the U.S. Justice Department requested U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal to drop two counts against Cuellar and his wife, relating to the prohibition on public officials acting as agents of foreign principals.
Federal authorities have accused Cuellar, aged 69, and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, of accepting thousands of dollars in return for advancing the interests of an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a Mexican bank. The allegations include the congressman influencing legislation favorable to Azerbaijan and delivering a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the U.S. House floor. The payments were allegedly funneled through a Texas-based shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar and two of the couple’s children. Cuellar maintains that he and his wife are innocent.
The dismissal of the two counts follows a February memorandum from Attorney General Pam Bondi, which redefined the focus of charges filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. This law aims to guarantee transparency about lobbying efforts conducted in the U.S. on behalf of foreign governments or principals.
During a Zoom court hearing, Judge Rosenthal agreed to grant the prosecution’s motion to dismiss the two counts. However, the Cuellars still face 12 charges, including conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering.
Stephen Dockery, one of Cuellar’s lawyers, urged Judge Rosenthal to dismiss the entire indictment due to the remaining charges relying on the allegations tied to the now dismissed counts and allegations under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Prosecutor Rosaleen O’Gara argued against striking the indictment. The judge has yet to rule on this request.
Cuellar, a long-standing member of Congress with over 20 years of service, represents a district stretching from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border. Since Cuellar’s indictment in April 2024, three individuals connected with the case have pleaded guilty. These include one of Cuellar’s top former aides, a Texas political and business consultant, and the director of a Texas affiliate of an Azerbaijan energy company.
The judge also accepted a request from both the prosecutors and the Cuellars’ attorneys to reschedule the trial in Houston. Initially set to commence Sept. 22, it has now been moved to April 6. The trial is expected to last five weeks.
