The House Ethics Committee said Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was indicted over corruption allegations.
The committee said in a statement that it voted to form a subcommittee to investigate Cuellar after the Justice Department unsealed an indictment earlier this month accusing Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, of participating in bribery schemes, illegal foreign influence and money laundering.
Cuellar and his wife were accused of accepting $598,000 in bribes from a Mexican bank and an oil and gas company controlled by the government of Azerbaijan.
According to NBC, the subcommittee will have the jurisdiction 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.”
“The 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,” according to the release.
Since his indictment, Cuellar has maintained his innocence, and in a statement on Wednesday he denied any wrongdoing.
“I respect the work of the House Ethics Committee,” Cuellar said. “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 committee’s investigation of Cuellar could affect his performance in the general election. While he has received support from his Democratic allies, many voters have criticized the party’s support.
Cuellar has also refused to vote along with his fellow democrats on issues including abortion and border security.
Cuellar could also face pressure from his inner circle and former allies. Earlier this month, two political strategists close to Cuellar agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with him to launder more than $200,000 from the Mexican bank from which he allegedly took bribes.
However, Henry Cuellar’s attorney said they were not concerned about the political strategists pleading guilty.
Cuellar will face Republican candidate Jay Furman, a retired Navy officer, in the November general election.
