Rubio’s old roommate convicted of covertly lobbying for Maduro’s Venezuela

Published May 1, 2026 3:35pm ET



David Rivera, a former Florida Republican congressman who was once roommates with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was convicted Friday for his role in lobbying $50 million on behalf of Venezuela during the first Trump administration. 

Jurors found Rivera and his associate, Esther Nuhfer, guilty on all counts, including money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent with the Department of Justice. 

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