The Cuellar political machine in South Texas is collapsing under the weight of its own corruption.
Congressman Henry Cuellar was indicted in May 2024 for accepting over $600,000 in bribes from a Mexican bank and Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company.
But the problem extends far beyond the congressman.
According to reporting from NOTUS and statements from local officials, Henry Cuellar’s siblings—Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar and former municipal judge Rosie Cuellar—benefited from improper appointments, financial favoritism, and misuse of government staff.
Neither has been charged.
In 2023, the FBI raided the Webb County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Cuellar told the press he was not the subject of the investigation. However, multiple officials confirmed that sheriff’s office employees were ordered to perform political work for the Cuellar family during official business hours.
That included campaign fundraising, voter outreach, and logistical support for Cuellar’s re-election efforts.
Public records show staff were reassigned from law enforcement roles to campaign duties, including organizing events.
Some employees were instructed to attend campaign functions while still on the county payroll. The sheriff ignored requests for comment.
The corruption extended to Rosie Cuellar, who in 2022 was appointed to a municipal judgeship in a border town that has no active courthouse.
She never heard a case.
The salary she received for the position has not been disclosed.
Hellbound and Down 