Jury convicts former Florida congressman in Venezuela lobbying case
Summary
A jury found former Florida Congressman David Rivera guilty of working secretly to influence US officials on behalf of Venezuela without registering as a foreign agent. Rivera and his associate were involved in a campaign linked to a Venezuelan state oil company’s US subsidiary to lobby during a tense period between the US and Venezuela.Key Facts
- David Rivera served in the US Congress from 2011 to 2013.
- Rivera was convicted of conspiracy, failing to register as a foreign agent, and related crimes.
- He worked for a consulting firm hired by a Venezuelan state oil company’s US subsidiary for $50 million.
- Rivera and his associate Esther Nuhfer were accused of secretly lobbying US officials, including Senator Marco Rubio and Kellyanne Conway.
- Rubio testified he did not know about Rivera’s lobbying work.
- Rivera’s defense said the lobbying targeted a US subsidiary and aimed to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, not improve relations.
- The trial occurred amid strained US-Venezuela relations during President Donald Trump’s first term, which included sanctions on Venezuela.
- Rivera was detained after the verdict due to concerns he might flee.
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