On Monday, the FBI's Miami division delivered a powerful statement following the conviction of former Cuban-American congressman David Rivera and political consultant Esther Nuhfer. They were found guilty of acting as unregistered agents for Nicolás Maduro's Venezuelan regime, connected to a $50 million contract with PDVSA.
The unanimous verdict was reached last Thursday by a federal jury in Miami, concluding a five-week trial that began on March 16. The trial featured 14 witnesses and thousands of documents, text messages, emails, and financial records.
Skiles, the special agent in charge of FBI Miami, was forthright in his public statement: "Today's verdict sends a clear and powerful message: our democratic processes are not for sale to foreign adversaries."
"By choosing personal greed over legal transparency, David Rivera and Esther Nuhfer violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act by lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government," Skiles added.
The official emphasized that the defendants "used coded messages and laundered millions of dollars to fund personal lifestyles and political campaigns, believing they could operate in the shadows."
"This conviction demonstrates that no matter how much 'coded language' is used or how influential the conspirators are, the FBI and its partners will remain steadfast in identifying and investigating those who covertly serve foreign interests at the expense of the American people's trust," Skiles concluded.
Background of the Scheme
The scheme revolved around a 2017 contract with PDV USA, the American subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA. The contract aimed to promote Maduro's regime interests in Washington without registering with the Department of Justice.
Rivera received an initial payment exceeding $5 million to arrange meetings between Venezuelan officials—including Vice President Delcy Rodríguez—and U.S. lawmakers, intending to ease sanctions against the Maduro regime during Trump's first term.
Among the contacted legislators were then-Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Pete Sessions. Rubio, now Secretary of State and a close friend of Rivera from their time in Florida state politics, was listed as a potential witness by the Southern District of Florida's prosecution.
Personal and Political Gains
Rivera allocated approximately $600,000 of the received funds to his failed 2018 campaign for the Florida state legislature and personal expenses. Nuhfer, on the other hand, used about $455,000 to purchase a home in Key Colony Beach, Florida.
Following the verdict, Judge Melissa Damian ordered Rivera's immediate detention by revoking his bail, citing a flight risk.
Initially arrested in December 2022 at Atlanta airport, Rivera had denied all charges, claiming his actions aimed to weaken, not support, the Chavismo movement.
He was convicted on seven counts, including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, money laundering, and four counts of transactions involving criminally derived property. Nuhfer faced four similar charges. A Trump ally also testified against the former congressman during the trial.
The total amount subject to forfeiture is $20 million. Rivera faces up to 60 years in prison, while Nuhfer could serve up to 30 years. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22, 2026.
Rivera, aged 60, is the son of Cuban exiles who fled after Fidel Castro's revolution. He has consistently declared himself a staunch opponent of Latin America's communist and socialist regimes.
FAQs on the FBI Miami's Statement and Rivera's Conviction
What were David Rivera and Esther Nuhfer convicted of?
They were convicted of acting as unregistered agents for Venezuela's Maduro regime, violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and laundering money among other charges.
What did the FBI Miami emphasize in their statement?
The FBI emphasized that democratic processes in the U.S. are not for sale and that they will continue to identify and investigate those who secretly serve foreign interests.
How long could Rivera and Nuhfer be imprisoned?
Rivera faces up to 60 years in prison, while Nuhfer could serve up to 30 years.