Former US congressman convicted in Venezuela lobbying case
Former Florida congressman David Rivera has been convicted by a US jury of accepting millions of dollars from the Venezuelan government to lobby American politicians. Once a housemate of Senator Marco Rubio, Rivera now faces sentencing on multiple counts.
A US federal jury has convicted David Rivera, a former Republican congressman from Florida, of secretly accepting millions of dollars from the Venezuelan government, the BBC reported. Prosecutors said Rivera worked to influence American politicians on behalf of the Maduro administration while concealing those payments from US authorities.
Rivera, who once shared a house with Senator Marco Rubio, was a familiar figure in Florida politics. The court said he was found guilty on counts that included acting as an unregistered foreign agent, money laundering and tax violations. Sentencing is expected in the coming months.
The case stands out as one of the most concrete legal expressions of the wider strain between Washington and Caracas. US authorities have stepped up scrutiny of financial channels allegedly used by the Maduro government to circumvent sanctions. Rivera's defence team said it would appeal the verdict.
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