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Ex-Rep. David Rivera Sentenced for $50M Venezuelan Lobbying Scheme

5/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Judge Melissa Damian sentenced Rep. David Rivera to prison and took him into custody in Miami.
A Venezuelan oil company paid Rivera’s consulting firm $50 million to lobby U.S. officials in 2017-2018.
A federal jury convicted Rivera of conspiracy, not registering as a foreign agent and money laundering.
Prosecutors said Rivera was a flight risk while his lawyer cited two young children in Atlanta.
He faces roughly ten years in prison.

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Story summary

Judge Melissa Damian sentenced Rep. David Rivera to prison and took him into custody in Miami.
A Venezuelan oil company paid Rivera’s consulting firm $50 million to lobby U.S. officials in 2017-2018.
A federal jury convicted Rivera of conspiracy, not registering as a foreign agent and money laundering.
Prosecutors said Rivera was a flight risk while his lawyer cited two young children in Atlanta.
He faces roughly ten years in prison.