Ex-Fla. congressman and Rubio ally convicted of secretly lobbying for Venezuela

Source: Washington Posst

A former Florida congressman and political mentor to Secretary of State Marco Rubio was convicted Friday for his role in a secret $50 million campaign to lobby officials in Washington on behalf of the Venezuelan government.

A federal jury found David Rivera, a Republican from Miami who served one term in the House from 2011 to 2013, guilty on counts including failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The jury also convicted an associate of Rivera’s, Esther Nuhfer, on related charges.

The weeks-long trial, which played out in federal court in Miami, drew attention for what it revealed about Rivera’s efforts to influence officials in President Donald Trump’s first administration on behalf of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. It drew interest for the number of bold-faced names appearing as witnesses.

Rubio testified before the jury early in the trial — the first time in more than four decades that a sitting Cabinet secretary has served as a witness in a criminal trial. Jurors also heard from Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and Brian Ballard, a top lobbyist and fundraiser for Trump.

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