Ex-Congressman David Rivera Convicted in Venezuelan Lobbying Scandal

Former U.S. Congressman David Rivera was found guilty of illegally lobbying U.S. officials for the Venezuelan government without registering as a foreign agent. A six-week trial revealed he received $20 million from a subsidiary of a Venezuelan state company. Rivera's lawyers claimed his actions were in opposition to Maduro.

Former U.S. Congressman David Rivera was convicted on Friday for illegal lobbying activities on behalf of Venezuela's Maduro government. Rivera, who served southern Florida from 2011 to 2013, now awaits sentencing in July following the Miami court's verdict.

Throughout the six-week trial, Rivera maintained his innocence, even as testimony from high-profile figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was presented. Despite pleading not guilty, evidence highlighted Rivera's unregistered lobbying efforts and a $20 million compensation from Citgo, the American arm of Venezuela's state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela.

Rivera's defense argued his intentions were to assist the opposition in dethroning Maduro, not to aid his regime. Rubio, then a senator, expressed his shock upon learning of Rivera's undisclosed contract with Citgo during a 2017 meeting concerning Venezuela.