In the summer of 2020, tensions escalated in the Caucasus region, leading to a scramble by Azerbaijan's lobbyists to shift blame to Armenia and emphasize its ties to Russia. Text messages revealed a congressman's plan to strip funding from Armenia due to its Russian military bases, with the Azerbaijani ambassador expressing support. The congressman and his wife were charged with accepting bribes and acting as foreign agents for Azerbaijan. This indictment underscores the influence of foreign interests on U.S. policymaking and the lengths to which they go to shape it. The charges also reflect the Justice Department's efforts to combat foreign influence campaigns. The article also highlights the extensive lobbying efforts by Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Qatar in Washington. Despite the substantial spending, the impact of these lobbying efforts has been limited due to various factors. The indictment of the congressman and the senator reveals a new dimension in underground influence campaigns in Washington. Both lawmakers were in influential positions to assist foreign governments, and their indictments have led to significant repercussions. The article also details the alleged activities and payments made to the congressman and his wife by Azerbaijani officials, as well as their use of the funds. The indictment accuses the congressman of performing official acts benefiting Azerbaijan in exchange for bribe payments. Despite his efforts, the impact of his actions on behalf of Azerbaijan appears to have been minimal. The Armenian Assembly of America has called for a broader investigation into the charges and potential ties to Azerbaijan's corrupt operations.