A federal jury in Miami has found former Cuban-American congressman David Rivera guilty on all charges, including acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the Venezuelan regime under Nicolás Maduro and laundering money, according to the verdict delivered this Friday.
The unanimous decision came after a five-week trial featuring testimony from 14 witnesses and the presentation of thousands of documents, text messages, emails, and financial records.
Rivera was convicted on seven counts: conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), violating FARA, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of engaging in transactions with criminally derived property.
His co-defendant, political consultant Esther Nuhfer, aged 51, faced four similar charges and was also found guilty on all counts.
The Covert Scheme Unraveled
The prosecution demonstrated that in 2017, Rivera and Nuhfer secured a $50 million contract with PDV USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, to advance Maduro's regime's interests in the United States without registering with the Justice Department.
The operation spanned from 2017 to 2018, during the early months of Donald Trump's first term, a time when Maduro's regime sought relief from U.S. sanctions and aimed to improve its image in Washington.
Prosecutor Roger Cruz was assertive in his closing statements: "They chose to keep their relationship with Maduro's regime secret," he stated. He concluded, "The evidence speaks for itself, proving these two defendants guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Financial Gains and Political Connections
Rivera utilized approximately $600,000 of the contract funds to finance his unsuccessful bid for the Florida state legislature in 2018 and for personal expenditures.
Nuhfer, meanwhile, allocated about $455,000 to purchase a home in Key Colony Beach, Florida.
The scheme included arranging meetings between Venezuelan officials, such as Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, and U.S. legislators like then-Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Pete Sessions.
Rubio himself testified during the trial as a long-time friend and ally of Rivera. Prosecutor Cruz remarked, "Marco Rubio was exploited by these two to make money."
A Paradoxical Political Downfall
Rivera, 60, is the son of Cuban exiles who fled after Fidel Castro's revolution and has historically declared himself a staunch opponent of communist and socialist regimes in Latin America, making his conviction for collaborating with Maduro's regime a significant political paradox.
He served as a Florida state legislator from 2002 to 2010 and as a federal congressman for the 25th district from 2011 to 2013.
Rivera was arrested in December 2022 under a federal criminal investigation in Miami, and his trial commenced in March 2026. Public awareness of his ties to PDVSA emerged in May 2020 when the million-dollar contract was disclosed.
In 2021, Rivera was fined $456,000 for previous irregularities.
Following the verdict, Rivera was immediately taken into custody as a flight risk. The total amount subject to forfeiture is $20 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement declaring, "The verdict sends a clear message: our democratic processes are not for sale." Sentencing is set for July 22, 2026; Rivera faces up to 60 years in prison, while Nuhfer could receive up to 30 years.
Key Questions About the Rivera Case
What were the charges against David Rivera?
David Rivera was charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, violating FARA, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and engaging in transactions with criminally derived property.
What role did Esther Nuhfer play in the scheme?
Esther Nuhfer, a political consultant, was involved in securing a $50 million contract to promote the interests of Maduro's regime in the U.S. without proper registration, and she used part of the funds for personal gain.
How did David Rivera use the funds from the contract?
David Rivera used approximately $600,000 from the contract to fund his failed political campaign for the Florida state legislature in 2018 and for personal expenses.
What was the outcome for Rivera and Nuhfer?
Both Rivera and Nuhfer were found guilty on all charges. Rivera faces up to 60 years in prison, while Nuhfer faces up to 30 years. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22, 2026.