In the midst of escalating tensions in the Caucasus region in 2020, Azerbaijan’s team of influential lobbyists in Washington worked tirelessly to shift blame onto Armenia and its ties to Russia.
Little did Congress know, Azerbaijan had an insider collaborating with their ambassador in Washington on a covert strategy, as revealed in text messages disclosed by federal prosecutors.
Representative Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat facing charges of bribery and acting as a foreign agent, hinted at a legislative move to defund Armenia due to its Russian military connections.
The Azerbaijani ambassador praised Cuellar’s plan, emphasizing the importance of countering Russian influence in the region.
Although Cuellar’s proposal didn’t progress far, it came to light that his family had received substantial payments from Azerbaijani government entities, according to a federal indictment.
The indictment underscores the significant impact of foreign interests on U.S. policymaking and the extent to which they will go to shape it in their favor, despite the risks involved.
Cuellar and his wife face charges of bribery, money laundering, and violating lobbying laws in connection with their activities on behalf of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank.
Both Cuellars pleaded not guilty and were released on bond, maintaining their innocence amidst the allegations. The Justice Department’s crackdown on foreign influence campaigns is evident in this case, signaling a broader effort to hold accountable those involved in such activities.
This indictment marks another instance of a sitting member of Congress being charged with serving as a foreign agent, following a similar case involving Senator Robert Menendez and his ties to Egypt and Qatar.
The allegations against Cuellar and Menendez highlight the ongoing battle to combat illicit foreign influence in U.S. politics, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in government dealings.
2024-05-04 17:05:55
Post from www.nytimes.com