Ex-Congressman Rivera Indicted Over Venezuelan Lobbying Ties \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Former Congressman David Rivera has been indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent while lobbying the Trump administration on behalf of sanctioned Venezuelan billionaire Raúl Gorrín. Prosecutors allege Rivera received over $5.5 million for his efforts, including attempts to lift sanctions against Gorrín. The indictment highlights a complex scheme involving shell companies and past controversies surrounding Rivera’s ties to Venezuela.
David Rivera Indicted Over Secret Venezuelan Lobbying: Quick Looks
- Rivera allegedly lobbied U.S. officials from 2019-2020 to lift sanctions on Raúl Gorrín, a sanctioned Venezuelan tycoon.
- Prosecutors say Rivera used fake Delaware shell companies to conceal payments from Gorrín.
- Rivera received over $5.5 million and paid an unnamed former U.S. official $125,000 as part of the scheme.
- This indictment follows earlier charges tied to a $50 million consulting contract with Venezuela’s state oil company.
- Rivera denies wrongdoing and has countersued Venezuelan opposition leaders in federal court.
Deep Look
Lobbying for a Sanctioned Tycoon
According to the indictment, Rivera’s alleged lobbying occurred between June 2019 and April 2020. Prosecutors say Rivera lobbied U.S. officials, including a senior executive branch official, to reverse sanctions imposed on Gorrín.
Rivera was reportedly aided by an unnamed former U.S. official, who received $125,000 of the $5.5 million Rivera allegedly received from Gorrín or his associates. Rivera used Delaware-based shell companies with misleading names to disguise the payments, according to prosecutors.
“The notion of creating fake companies to hide illegal lobbying is deeply troubling and undermines trust in our system,” prosecutors said in the indictment.
Prior Allegations of Venezuelan Lobbying
This latest indictment is not Rivera’s first legal trouble connected to Venezuela. In 2022, Rivera was arrested in Miami over a $50 million consulting contract with a U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA. Prosecutors allege the contract was a front for lobbying efforts to improve relations between the Maduro government and the Trump administration.
Although Maduro’s outreach failed, as Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president in 2019, Rivera and Gorrín managed to arrange high-profile meetings. These included Gorrín’s photo-op with Vice President Mike Pence at a Florida event and meetings with Trump’s Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, Rivera’s former roommate in Tallahassee.
Complex Legal Web
Rivera’s legal troubles extend beyond allegations of foreign lobbying. He has faced scrutiny over election-related controversies, including allegedly funding a Democratic candidate in a South Florida congressional race to weaken his primary rival. Rivera was also investigated for concealing a $1 million contract with a gambling company and potentially misusing campaign funds.
Despite these allegations, Rivera maintains his innocence, denying any illegal lobbying for Venezuela and countersuing opposition leaders who now control PDVSA’s U.S. subsidiary.
Details of the Scheme
The indictment outlines a sophisticated operation to conceal payments:
- Fake Companies: Rivera allegedly created shell companies in Delaware with names associated with a law firm and the unnamed official’s hometown to make them appear legitimate.
- Unlawful Payments: Rivera reportedly funneled $125,000 to an unnamed former U.S. official as part of the lobbying campaign.
- Corrupt Ties: Payments were linked to Gorrín, who faces separate charges of bribing Venezuelan officials and embezzling state funds.
Prosecutors say Rivera’s actions violated FARA, which requires individuals lobbying on behalf of foreign entities to disclose their activities.
Broader Implications
This case is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to address corruption and foreign interference linked to the Maduro regime. Gorrín, who owns the Venezuelan media network Globovisión, was first charged in 2018 for bribery and money laundering. In 2024, additional charges were brought against him for embezzlement schemes involving high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
Political Fallout
The indictment has reignited debates about lobbying transparency and foreign influence in U.S. politics. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the lack of enforcement of FARA in past years, calling for stricter oversight of lobbying activities linked to foreign entities.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said,
“This case underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in our lobbying system to prevent foreign corruption from infiltrating our government.”
Rivera’s Defense
“This is nothing but a politically motivated attack,” Rivera said in previous court filings.
Conclusion
The indictment of David Rivera marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s crackdown on unregistered foreign lobbying. As the case unfolds, it underscores the ongoing influence of corrupt regimes like Venezuela’s Maduro administration in U.S. politics and raises critical questions about transparency and accountability.
Ex-Congressman Ex-Congressman Ex-Congressman
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