Former GOP Congressman David Rivera Sentenced to 10 Years

Former Republican congressman David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for concealing a $50 million lobbying campaign on behalf of the government of Nicolás Maduro. Convicted in May of conspiracy to commit money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent, Rivera worked with political consultant Esther Nuhfer to use his GOP connections to normalize relations between the United States and Venezuela during the first Trump administration.

Prosecutors established that Rivera manipulated influential figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Representative Pete Sessions. To cover the illegal activity, Rivera used a contract with PDV USA, an affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA. These funds were used for various purposes, including the maintenance of a luxury yacht for media tycoon Raúl Gorrín.

Judge Melissa Damian rejected defense arguments that the work was commercial and exempt from registration, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. While Rivera's lawyers are now seeking a presidential pardon, prosecutors characterized the scheme as a betrayal of public trust. Co-defendant Esther Nuhfer received a five-year sentence for her role in the campaign.