David Rivera Sentenced To 10 Years

Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for secretly lobbying for Venezuela’s government during the first Trump administration. A federal jury convicted Rivera in May after a seven-week trial on all counts, including failing to register as a foreign agent, meaning he did not disclose foreign political work. Prosecutors said Rivera worked on a secret lobbying campaign worth about $50 million tied to Venezuela’s state oil company and the Maduro government. Judge Melissa Damian called the case greed and betrayal, not paperwork. Rivera asked for mercy, citing prostate cancer and young twins. His lawyers plan to appeal and have sought a presidential pardon.