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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Rivera was first arrested in 2022 on an 11-count indictment. Prosecutors alleged the former congressman cut a $50 million consulting contract with a Venezuelan state-owned oil company in 2017 with the help of Venezuelan officials. They said he used his Washington ties to promote then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and soften U.S. sanctions on the South American country.
The weekslong trial was held at federal court in Miami and drew national attention when Rubio and other top U.S. officials testified in March. Rubio and Rivera were once roommates and co-owned a home in Tallahassee during their early days in Florida politics.
Rubio was not accused of wrongdoing related to the case. His testimony marked the first time since 1983 that a presidential cabinet official took the stand in a criminal trial.
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) also testified, as he allegedly aided Rivera in creating inroads with government officials. Brian Ballard, a top lobbyist and fundraiser for President Donald Trump, appeared at the trial as well.
The verdict was welcomed by Jason Reding Quinones, the U.S. attorney in Miami whose office brought the case.
“They took millions from the communist regime in Venezuela to secretly influence U.S. policy, and concealed it not just from the American government, but from their own close political allies and personal friends,” said Quinones. “Foreign influence carried out in secret is corruption. Today, a jury held them accountable.”
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Rivera served in Congress from 2011 to 2013, overlapping with Rubio’s time in the Senate. Before their time in Congress, they both served in the Florida legislature.
Rivera was a close mentor to Rubio, helping him grow his career from Florida politics to Capitol Hill.
