Ex-GOP Rep. David Rivera convicted of secretly lobbying U.S. officials on behalf of Venezuela
Former Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., was convicted on all counts in a federal court in Miami for secretly lobbying U.S. officials to ease sanctions on Venezuela while receiving a $50 million contract. He was found guilty of acting as an unregistered foreign agent, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and tax evasion, alongside his associate Esther Nuhfer. Rivera, a former roommate of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, faces a lengthy prison sentence and additional charges in a related case.
- ▪David Rivera was convicted of acting as an unregistered agent for Venezuela and conspiring to commit money laundering and tax evasion.
- ▪Prosecutors alleged Rivera sought to arrange U.S. meetings for Venezuelan officials to normalize relations between the U.S. and Venezuela.
- ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who testified at the trial, said Rivera provided him with messaging that influenced a Senate floor speech about regime change in Venezuela.
- ▪Rivera and his associate Esther Nuhfer were both convicted after a five-week trial featuring testimony from several political figures.
- ▪Rivera faces a potentially long prison sentence and additional federal charges in Washington, D.C., related to foreign lobbying.
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Politics NewsEx-GOP Rep. David Rivera convicted of secretly lobbying U.S. officials on behalf of VenezuelaRivera is a former roommate and longtime friend of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who testified at his trial last month.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Former Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., speaks outside court on March 24 in Miami.Joe Raedle / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 1, 2026, 3:16 PM EDTBy Anthony Cusumano and Rebecca ShabadFormer Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., was found guilty in federal court in Miami on Friday on all counts in connection to him receiving a $50 million contract to secretly lobby U.S.
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