politics
Former Florida Rep. David Rivera Convicted in Venezuela Lobbying Case
A federal jury convicted former U.S. Rep. David Rivera and associate Esther Nuhfer on charges related to a secret $50 million lobbying effort for Venezuela's government during the first Trump administration. The case involved failing to register as foreign agents and money laundering. The trial highlighted Miami's role in foreign influence campaigns targeting U.S. policy toward Latin America.
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The Washington PostAudio version
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A Miami federal jury convicted former Florida congressman David Rivera and his associate Esther Nuhfer on all counts in a case involving secret lobbying for Venezuela's government. The convictions include failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Prosecutors alleged the pair received a $50 million contract to influence U.S. officials and ease sanctions on Venezuela. Rivera, a Republican, served in Congress from 2011 to 2013. He was ordered into custody after the verdict due to flight risk concerns, including access to funds and pending charges in Washington, D.C. The seven-week trial featured testimony from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Texas Congressman Pete Sessions, and others who said they were unaware of Rivera's contract.
The goal was to normalize relations and reduce sanctions amid human rights violation accusations against the Maduro government. ' The contract was with a U.S.-based affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA. Prosecutors claimed it served as cover for illegal lobbying, including arranging meetings for Rodriguez in New York, Caracas, Washington, and Dallas.
They accused the defendants of manipulating figures like Rubio and Sessions to facilitate outreach, including attempts to meet ExxonMobil's CEO.
“As long as the money kept coming in, they didn’t care from where." — Prosecutor Roger Cruz, during closing arguments (Military.com). Sessions reportedly met with Maduro in Caracas and agreed to deliver a letter to U.S. officials. However, the efforts failed, leading to increased sanctions on Maduro, whom the administration later labeled a dictator. Nearly a decade later, Rodriguez has become a partner with the current administration following the U.S. military's ousting of Maduro.”
