Dean Phillips is the first Democrat in the House to ask Rep. Cuellar to resign after being indicted.

Breaking news out of Washington – Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas is facing serious charges of bribery and money laundering. The indictment comes after an investigation revealed that Cuellar and his wife accepted around $600,000 in bribes between 2014 and 2021 from an energy company based in Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico City. These alleged bribes were to further the interests of Azerbaijan in the United States.

The Department of Justice did not hold back, outlining the specifics of the charges against Cuellar and his wife Imelda. The couple is accused of laundering the bribe payments through fake consulting contracts and shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar. The DOJ claimed that in exchange for these bribes, Cuellar used his position to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and to assist the Mexican bank with legislative activities.

Despite the damning accusations, Cuellar was quick to release a statement proclaiming his innocence. He emphasized that everything he has done in Congress has been to serve the people of Texas. Cuellar also defended his wife, highlighting her career achievements and qualifications, dismissing any insinuations of wrongdoing on her part.

Meanwhile, fellow House Democrat, Dean Phillips of Minnesota, wasted no time in calling for Cuellar’s resignation. Phillips stressed the importance of maintaining trust in the government, suggesting that indicted officials should step down to preserve the integrity of public office.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Cuellar, as he and his wife made their initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston. The charges they face are severe – including conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official, bribery of a federal official, money laundering, and more.

It’s a stark reminder that no one is above the law, not even elected representatives. The allegations against Cuellar serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of corruption and abuse of power in politics. As the case unfolds, the eyes of the nation will be watching to see how justice is served in this high-profile scandal.