Former Miami congressman David Rivera sentenced to 10 years over Venezuela lobbying

Former Republican congressman David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for his role in a secret lobbying campaign carried out on behalf of Venezuela during Donald Trump’s first administration. Rivera, 61, was convicted in May on charges including failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He had been jailed since the jury verdict.

Prosecutors said Rivera worked on a $50m campaign intended to influence US policy towards Venezuela and improve relations with the government of former President Nicolás Maduro. They said he concealed the political nature of his work because disclosure could have damaged his career. Judge Melissa Damian said the money came from the Maduro regime and rejected Rivera’s request for a lower sentencing range.

Prosecutors argued that he had betrayed a position of trust by using political connections while failing to disclose his activities. Rivera’s lawyers said they would appeal. They argued that a three-month, $50m consulting contract involving a US-based affiliate of Venezuela’s state oil company was commercial work designed to attract ExxonMobil back to the country.

Prosecutors said the contract served as cover for illegal lobbying. They alleged that Rivera and political consultant Esther Nuhfer organised meetings for Venezuelan officials and sought to influence figures including Marco Rubio and Representative Pete Sessions. The case involved encrypted communications and arrangements prosecutors said were designed to hide the work and move money.

Rivera also faces additional federal charges in Washington in a related foreign-lobbying case. He was allowed to remain on bond and had previously sought a presidential pardon, according to the source material.