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Former GOP Rep. David Rivera sentenced to 10 years for secret Venezuela lobbying
Prosecutors said Rivera hid a $50 million contract and used Republican contacts to push the first Trump administration to ease sanctions on Venezuela.
- On Friday, former Miami Congressman David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a secret $50 million lobbying campaign on behalf of Venezuela during the first Trump administration.
- Prosecutors argued that Rivera and associate Esther Nuhfer concealed their work for Nicolas Maduro's government, failing to register as foreign agents while seeking to influence U.S. policy through a $50 million consulting contract with a state-affiliated oil company.
- During the seven-week trial, prosecutors presented text messages using code words like "bus driver" for Maduro and "The Lady in Red" for Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified he felt betrayed.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz argued the fraud betrayed public trust, while defense attorney Ed Shohat claimed Rivera acted in good faith to oust Maduro, stating his meetings were "wholly distinct" from supporting the regime.
- The trial revealed Miami's role as a crossroads for foreign influence campaigns, with Rivera's attorneys planning to appeal the conviction after jurors determined he and Nuhfer engaged in a money laundering conspiracy involving $3.75 million.
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Ex-Congressman Sentenced To Prison
Former Republican Congressman David Rivera has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following his conviction on foreign-agent and money-laundering charges connected to Venezuela. U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian handed down the sentence Friday, imposing 120 months on five counts and 60 months on two additional counts. The prison terms will run concurrently. Rivera […]
Former Congressman Hit With 10-Year Federal Prison Sentence Over Secret Foreign Influence And Money Laundering Scheme – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Isaac
A former member of Congress has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison over a secret foreign-influence and money-laundering scheme.
·Michigan, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources204
Leaning Left63Leaning Right26Center85Last UpdatedBias Distribution49% Center
Bias Distribution
- 49% of the sources are Center
49% Center
L 36%
C 49%
15%
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