Report: House Ethics Committee to form subcommittee to investigate U.S. Rep Cuellar

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An investigation is being opened into Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar who was recently indicted in a federal bribery case by the House Ethics Committee, an NBC report stated.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department released an indictment that accuses Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, of accepting $598,000 in bribes from foreign entities, including a Mexican bank and an oil and gas company controlled by Azerbaijan, NBC reported.

Cuellar denied any wrongdoing in the matter before the indictment was unsealed earlier this month.

According to their reports, the House Ethics Committee said it has unanimously voted to form a subcommittee tasked with investigating Cuellar.

A statement obtained by NBC stated a subcommittee will have jurisdiction to investigate whether 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.”

According to NBC's report, the Ethics Committee's statement cited House rules that require it to "establish an investigative subcommittee or explain its decision not to within 30 days of a member's being indicted or otherwise charged."

“I respect the work of the House Ethics Committee," Cuellar told NBC. "As I said on May 3rd, I am innocent of these allegations, and everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.”

The Associated Press reported that in a statement in early May, Cuellar said that before he took action he "proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm.”

Cuellar and his wife also face charges of wire fraud conspiracy, acting as agents of foreign principals and money laundering, according to the AP.

As previously reported by ValleyCentral, Cuellar says he is running for re-election.

"As the son of migrant workers, I was taught to wake up early and work hard," Cuellar said. "That’s exactly what I’ve always done for the people of South Texas. I’ve devoted my life’s work to creating jobs here, improving education, and securing our border. Let me be clear, I’m running for re-election and will win this November.”