The FBI on Wednesday raised Democratic Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar’s home and campaign office as part of a federal investigation into Azerbaijan, ABC News reports.
A federal grand jury is investigating a scheme involving the former Soviet state and several American businessmen, though it’s unclear if Cuellar is a target of the grand jury.
The scope of the investigation is also unclear.
Statements:
"The FBI was present in the vicinity of Windridge Drive and Estate Drive in Laredo conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity," an FBI spokesperson told ABC News. "The FBI cannot provide further comment on an ongoing investigation."
The FBI declined to provide specifics but local news outlets saw that boxes were taken from Cuellar’s home.
"Congressman Cuellar will fully cooperate in any investigation. He is committed to ensuring that justice and the law are upheld," a Cuellar aide told the outlet.
AOC backs primary challenger:
Cuellar, one of the more conservative Democrats in the House, is facing a primary challenge from his former intern, Jessica Cisneros.
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cited the FBI probe in an email endorsing Cisneros on Thursday.
“The Department of Justice’s Public Integrity unit is involved with the investigation — a unit that handles cases involving elected officials including campaign finance and corruption cases,” the email said.
“We don’t know what this investigation may mean for this race, but we do know that Cuellar’s campaign still has $2.3 million in the bank,” the email continued. “If we can’t close the gap, Jessica could be outspent dramatically.”
