Politics

Former Representative David Rivera receives 10-year sentence over covert Venezuela lobbying

A federal judge ordered prison time for the former congressman following convictions for money laundering and unregistered foreign lobbying.

Updated Oct 3, 2026 · 16:24 UTC3 reports

The short version

Former U.S. Representative David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conducting a secret $50 million lobbying effort on behalf of Venezuela during the first Trump administration.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]
A federal jury previously convicted Rivera on all counts, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]
Prosecutors said Rivera was recruited by Venezuelan officials to ease U.S. sanctions, while defense lawyers contended the work was commercial consulting exempt from foreign agent registration.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]
Rivera's legal team plans to file an appeal and previously requested a presidential pardon.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]

Former U.S. Representative David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with a covert $50 million lobbying campaign for Venezuela during the first Trump administration.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]
Rivera was convicted in May on all charges, including failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]
Federal prosecutors alleged Rivera was enlisted by then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez to leverage Republican contacts to soften U.S. sanctions against Venezuela.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]
Defense counsel claimed the $50 million contract was intended to attract ExxonMobil back to Venezuela and was exempt under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]

The outcomes of Rivera's planned appeal and his June application for a presidential pardon remain pending.[The Washington Sun · Associated Press · ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.