Ex-Congressman Rivera Gets 10 Years for Secret Maduro Lobbying

Former Florida congressman David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for secretly participating in a $50 million lobbying effort on behalf of Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuelan government during the first Trump administration. A jury convicted Rivera of failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiring to launder money; prosecutors said he sought to influence U.S. policy, including sanctions, through his Washington connections. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime friend and political ally, was not accused of wrongdoing and said he did not know Rivera was being paid by a Venezuela-linked entity. Rivera plans to appeal and faces separate federal charges related to foreign lobbying and taxes.