U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar's request to move his federal bribery and conspiracy trial from Houston to Laredo, Texas, was denied by a judge. Cuellar and his wife have been accused of accepting bribes to advance the interests of an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a Mexican bank. The defense argued that the trial should be in Laredo, where the alleged crimes occurred, but the judge cited the couple's prominence in Laredo and the larger jury pool in Houston as reasons to keep the trial in Houston. Federal prosecutor Celia Choy raised concerns about potential biases in Laredo and the delay a move would cause. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 22, with Cuellar and his wife maintaining their innocence despite three individuals already pleading guilty in connection to the case.

U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal ruled against transferring the trial location from Houston to Laredo, emphasizing the larger jury pool and the potential for an unbiased trial in Houston.

Chris Flood, Cuellar's lawyer, argued unsuccessfully that the trial should be moved closer to where the alleged crimes took place and disputed the prosecution's claims of potential trial difficulties in Laredo.

The charges against Cuellar and his wife involve allegations of accepting bribes to support the interests of foreign-controlled entities in energy and banking sectors.

Federal prosecutor Celia Choy raised concerns about the trial's delay and questioned the ability to assemble an impartial jury in Laredo due to Cuellar's prominence.

The judge maintained the trial's location in Houston, highlighting the city's capability to handle the case effectively and the logistical advantages of a larger jury pool.

The trial is slated to commence on September 22, and despite Cuellar and his wife asserting their innocence, the case has already seen guilty pleas from three individuals linked to the allegations.

Cuellar and his wife were present at the Zoom court hearing but did not speak, as the court proceedings focused on logistical and procedural matters regarding the trial's location and timing.