Former Congressman David Rivera Indicted for Failing to Register as Foreign Agent
A federal grand jury in Washington has returned an indictment against former Congressman David Rivera for failing to register as a foreign agent of a sanctioned Venezuelan media tycoon on whose behalf the Miami Republican allegedly lobbied the Trump administration.
The Indictment
The indictment unsealed on Wednesday alleges that Rivera, between June 2019 and April 2020, lobbied U.S. officials, including an unnamed senior official in the executive branch, to remove sanctions against Raúl Gorrín, a billionaire businessman charged in 2018 and again in 2024 with bribing senior Venezuelan officials in corrupt deals to embezzle state funds from Nicolas Maduro’s administration.
Rivera’s Alleged Activities
Rivera allegedly received over $5.5 million for these activities and failed to register under Foreign Agents Registration Act, as required when contacting U.S. officials on behalf of foreign individuals and companies. He was also charged with money laundering in connection to the undeclared lobbying work.
Rivera’s Attempts to Conceal His Activities
To promote his criminal activities, Rivera allegedly created fake shell companies registered in Delaware using names associated with a law firm and with the unnamed official, as well as the official’s hometown, to give the false appearance that the shell companies were legitimate, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said the official was unaware the companies were using his or her name and hometown.
Previous Criminal Charges
Rivera was arrested in 2022 in another illegal lobbying case, out of federal court in Miami, tied to a $50 million consulting contract his firm, Interamerican Consulting, signed with a U.S. affiliate of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA. Prosecutors say the 2017 contract was a ruse to hide a secret campaign by Maduro’s government to curry favor with the incoming Trump administration.
Maduro’s Outreach to Trump Administration
The Maduro outreach, facilitated by Trump’s current incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles when she worked as a Washington lobbyist on behalf of Gorrín’s TV network Globovision, ultimately failed. In 2019, Trump recognized opposition lawmaker Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate leader and imposed stiff oil sanctions on the OPEC nation in a bid to unseat Maduro.
Rivera’s Meetings with Trump Administration Officials
Rivera also looked to set up a possible flight and meeting on Gorrín’s jet for a female campaign adviser turned White House “counselor” on June 27, 2017 — the same day Trump aide Kellyanne Conway was in Miami for a fundraising dinner with Miami Republicans, according to court records in the earlier criminal complaint and a parallel lawsuit filed against Rivera by Maduro’s opponents who now control the U.S. subsidiary of PDVSA.
Rivera’s Attempts to Influence Trump Administration Officials
Rivera also roped in Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas to try and set up a meeting for Venezuela’s foreign minister with executives from Exxon, which was headquartered in Sessions’ district at the time.
Conclusion
Rivera’s indictment marks the second set of criminal charges to examine his relationship to Raúl Gorrín, a billionaire businessman charged in 2018 and again in 2024 with bribing senior Venezuelan officials in corrupt deals to embezzle state funds from Nicolas Maduro’s administration. The indictment highlights the importance of registering as a foreign agent and complying with the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
FAQs
Q: What is the Foreign Agents Registration Act?
A: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a federal law that requires individuals and organizations to register with the Department of Justice if they are acting as agents of foreign principals, such as governments, political parties, or corporations, and engaging in activities that influence U.S. political or policy decisions.
Q: What are the consequences of failing to register as a foreign agent?
A: Failure to register as a foreign agent can result in criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment. In this case, Rivera is charged with failing to register as a foreign agent and money laundering in connection to his undeclared lobbying work.
Q: What is the significance of this indictment?
A: The indictment highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in political activities, particularly when it comes to foreign influence. It also underscores the need for individuals and organizations to comply with FARA and register as foreign agents if they are acting on behalf of foreign principals.
