David Rivera, a former congressman from Miami, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for his involvement in a $50 million lobbying campaign on behalf of Venezuela during the Trump administration. Rivera, a Republican and associate of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was found guilty in May on multiple charges, including failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering related to his work for Nicolás Maduro's government.
At sentencing, Judge Melissa Damian criticized Rivera for betraying his principles, stating that had the funds originated from the Cuban regime, the reaction would have been different. The trial revealed Miami's role in foreign influence efforts aimed at shaping U.S. policy towards Latin America, showcasing the city's complex political landscape.
Key testimonies included statements from former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Congressman Pete Sessions, who expressed feelings of betrayal upon learning of Rivera's consulting contract with Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA. Rivera's defense team plans to appeal the conviction and has sought a presidential pardon, while he faces additional federal charges in a related case.
Prosecutors alleged that Rivera was recruited by Venezuela's then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez to leverage his Republican connections to persuade the Trump administration to ease sanctions against Venezuela. Rivera and his associate, Esther Nuhfer, reportedly concealed their lobbying activities to protect Rivera's political reputation as an anti-communist figure.
The prosecution argued that Rivera's actions constituted a significant fraud against the United States and the public. Rivera allegedly used encrypted communications to coordinate with Venezuelan officials, employing code names for various individuals involved in the lobbying efforts.
At the sentencing, Rivera's attorneys reiterated their stance that he believed he was not required to disclose his lobbying work, framing it as commercial activity that should not be subject to the Foreign Agents Registration Act. They argued that the contract was aimed at attracting ExxonMobil back to Venezuela, separate from his political engagements.
The judge dismissed Rivera's motion to reduce his sentence, emphasizing the severity of the money laundering involved. Rivera's past controversies, including allegations of campaign finance violations, were also noted, although he has maintained support within Miami's Cuban American community. Friends and former colleagues expressed their backing during the sentencing hearing, with some arguing against a lengthy prison term for Rivera's actions.