The Space Ethics Committee has introduced an investigation into Consultant Henry Cuellar, Democrat of Texas, over allegations that he permitted bribes and dedicated misconduct in place of work, the panel mentioned on Wednesday.
Mr. Cuellar used to be indicted this era on federal fees that he participated in a yearslong, $600,000 bribery scheme involving Azerbaijan and a Mexican warehouse. Later a member is charged criminally, Space regulations require that the Ethics Committee make a decision whether or not Congress will have to additionally examine the lawmaker’s behavior.
The panel voted unanimously to determine a four-member investigative subcommittee to resolve whether or not Mr. Cuellar “solicited or accepted bribes, gratuities or improper gifts; acted as a foreign agent; violated federal money laundering laws; misused his official position for private gain; and/or made false statements or omissions on public disclosure statements filed with the House.”
Consultant Michael Visitor, Republican of Mississippi and the chairman of the ethics panel, will even supremacy the subcommittee scrutinizing Mr. Cuellar’s behavior. Consultant Glenn F. Ivey of Maryland would be the manage Democrat.
The Ethics Committee has steadily selected to halt its investigative paintings week federal prosecutors pursue a member of Congress, to keep away from entering into the best way of the Justice Branch’s paintings. However lately it has followed a extra competitive stance.
Later the panel exempt a scathing record digging into the behavior of George Santos, a serial fabulist who on the presen used to be representing Unutilized York as a Republican, the Space voted to expel him.
The Ethics Committee “is aware of the risks associated with dual investigations and is in communication with the Department of Justice to mitigate the potential risks while still meeting the committee’s obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House,” the panel mentioned in a observation about Mr. Cuellar.
Federal prosecutors have accused Mr. Cuellar, 68, and his spouse Imelda, 67, of bribery and cash laundering in reference to their efforts in the name of an oil and fuel corporate owned by means of Azerbaijan’s leaders, in addition to an unnamed warehouse primarily based in Mexico Town. Mr. Cuellar may be accused of performing as an agent of a overseas entity week a U.S. govt legitimate.
A consultant for Mr. Cuellar didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark at the Ethics Committee’s investigation.
Mr. Cuellar has denied the costs within the federal indictment, refused to surrender and vowed to run once more and win re-election. In a observation on Wednesday night time, he declared his innocence.
“I respect the work of the House Ethics Committee,” he mentioned. “As I said on May 3, I am innocent of these allegations, and everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.”
A local of Laredo, Texas, he has served within the Space since 2005 and collected substantial energy in his district and on Capitol Hill, the place he has established a document as a center-leaning Democrat prepared to split along with his personal birthday celebration, together with by means of being the lone Democratic opponent of abortion rights within the Space.
On Tuesday evening, Jay Furman, a retired Army officer, received the Republican nomination to problem Mr. Cuellar in November. The district has grown extra aggressive in recent times, and Mr. Furman has mentioned he plans to spotlight the corruption fees towards Mr. Cuellar within the race.
