Ten Years For Illegal Lobbying
Former Florida Congressman David Rivera Sentenced to Ten Years for Illegal Foreign Lobbying
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Key Points
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At sentencing, Judge Melissa Damian said the money came from the Maduro government and compared the case to one involving funds from Cuba’s regime: “Nobody would accept that's ok and I don't think this is different.”
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Rivera told the judge he has prostate cancer and pleaded, “I don't deserve to die in prison,” calling the sentence “a death sentence.” Damian rejected the plea for mercy, saying, “This is a serious offense.”
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Rivera’s co-defendant, consultant Esther Nuhfer, had previously been sentenced to five years in prison.
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The contract’s proposed $50 million was structured as five $5 million payments and one $25 million payment; prosecutors said Rivera and Nuhfer received about $20 million before PDV USA terminated it.
Former Florida Republican congressman David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiring to launder money Miami Herald. Rivera and consultant Esther Nuhfer pursued a $50 million contract through PDV USA, a U.S. affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company, to persuade the Trump administration to ease sanctions on Nicolás Maduro's government. The pair received about $20 million before the deal collapsed.
At sentencing, Judge Melissa Damian rejected Rivera's pleas for mercy, saying the offense was serious. Rivera told the court he has prostate cancer and begged, "I don't deserve to die in prison," but the judge stood firm. Rivera plans to appeal the conviction and faces additional federal charges in Washington, D.C., including foreign lobbying and tax violations Miami Herald.
The Secret Venezuela Lobbying Scheme
Rivera and Nuhfer worked to influence U.S. policy toward Venezuela during President Trump's first term. The contract was structured as five $5 million payments plus one $25 million payment. Before PDV USA ended the deal, the pair had collected roughly $20 million Herald Sun. The scheme violated federal law requiring anyone paid to influence U.S. officials on behalf of a foreign government to register as a foreign agent.
Marco Rubio, Rivera's longtime friend who later became Secretary of State, testified during the trial that he did not know about the arrangement Miami Herald. Rubio was not accused of any wrongdoing. Other officials also testified they were unaware of the secret lobbying effort.
Judge Compares Maduro Funds to Cuban Regime Money
Judge Damian emphasized the seriousness of accepting payments from a hostile foreign government. She drew a comparison to another case involving funds from Cuba's regime. "Nobody would accept that's ok and I don't think this is different," the judge said from the bench Miami Herald. The ruling stressed that Venezuela's dictatorial government was effectively paying for influence over U.S. foreign policy.
Co-defendant Already Serving Five-Year Sentence
Esther Nuhfer, Rivera's consultant partner, was sentenced earlier to five years in prison for her role in the scheme Kentucky.com. Both defendants were convicted of money laundering and failing to register as foreign agents. Nuhfer's lighter sentence reflects her role compared to Rivera's leadership in the illegal arrangement.
More Charges Ahead in Federal Washington Court
Rivera still faces separate federal charges in Washington, D.C., related to foreign lobbying and tax matters Herald Sun. His legal team plans to appeal the 10-year sentence. The additional charges compound his legal troubles and suggest prosecutors believe there is more misconduct to address beyond the Venezuela scheme.
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