A federal jury in Miami has convicted former U.S. Congressman David Rivera and political consultant Esther Nuhfer of multiple serious charges related to conspiracy and violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
The defendants were found guilty of secretly acting as unregistered agents for Venezuela, using millions in foreign funds to influence U.S. policy while concealing their activities.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones stated: “These convictions expose a simple truth: the defendants sold access and influence to a hostile foreign regime for money. They accepted millions tied to the Maduro regime, concealed that relationship from the United States government, and used trusted personal and political relationships to secretly advance the interests of Venezuela’s regime.”
Rivera, who served in Congress from 2011 to 2013, is accused of securing a $50 million contract with a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA (Citgo) to lobby U.S. officials and arrange meetings between American policymakers and high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including former President Nicolas Maduro and Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez.
Prosecutors allege that Rivera and Nuhfer used coded language in text messages to describe their activities without registering as foreign agents under FARA requirements. Evidence revealed that Rivera diverted approximately $600,000 from the contract proceeds to fund his Florida congressional campaign, while Nuhfer used about $455,000 for a residence in Key Colony Beach.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Roger Cruz stated: “As long as the money kept coming in, they didn’t care from where.”
Rivera faces up to 60 years in prison, while Nuhfer could receive up to 30 years. A federal judge will determine final sentences following consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The defense argued that Rivera’s ultimate goal was to oust Maduro and that the contract was exempt from FARA registration. However, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a longtime friend of Rivera, testified at trial that he had no knowledge of the lobbying activities.
Rivera showed little emotion upon hearing the verdict.