WASHINGTON, Dec 22 – Former President Donald Trump issued pardons to U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, on Friday, averting potential criminal charges stemming from a federal examination.
The pardons, announced by the White House, come as the Cuellars had been under scrutiny in a probe involving alleged bribery and illicit dealings with a foreign government. representative Cuellar, a moderate Democrat, has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. The pardon effectively halts any potential prosecution, shielding the couple from criminal liability.The case against Cuellar centered on allegations of accepting bribes from a Mexican intelligence official and a Mexican bank in exchange for influencing U.S. policy.Federal investigators had been building a case for months,scrutinizing the Cuellars’ financial dealings and communications. The pardon raises questions about potential political motivations and the extent of Trump’s involvement with the congressman. It also underscores the ongoing legal vulnerabilities faced by public officials and the potential for presidential intervention in criminal matters.The Department of Justice has not yet commented on the pardon.