USA v. Rivera, et al

Track this case

Case Number:

1:22-cr-20552

Court:

Florida Southern

Nature of Suit:

Judge:

Melissa Damian

Firms

  1. May 01, 2026

    Ex-Fla. Rep. Guilty Of FARA Violations For Venezuela Work

    A Florida federal jury on Friday found former Florida congressman David Rivera guilty of failing to register as a foreign agent after signing a $50 million contract with a unit of Venezuela's state-owned oil company.

  2. April 29, 2026

    Consultant Says Venezuela Work Didn't Require FARA Filing

    The government did not prove that political consultant Esther Nuhfer was operating in bad faith when she worked with former Florida congressman David Rivera under a $50 million contract with a unit of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Nuhfer's attorney said Wednesday in his final pitch to jurors.

  3. April 28, 2026

    Ex-Rep.'s Anti-Maduro Stance Was 'Facade,' Jury Hears

    Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera's public opposition to the regime of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was just a "facade" as he secretly worked on behalf of the government under a $50 million contract with a unit of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, federal prosecutors told jurors on Tuesday.

  4. April 27, 2026

    Texas Rep. Says Rivera Wanted Political Change In Venezuela

    U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, told jurors in Florida federal court on Monday that his meetings with Venezuelan officials set up by former Florida Congressman David Rivera were part of a larger attempt to negotiate an exit for then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and usher in free and fair elections for the country.

  5. April 24, 2026

    Feds Fight Ex-Rep.'s Acquittal Bid In Venezuela FARA Case

    Federal prosecutors urged a Florida U.S. district judge to reject an attempt by politician David Rivera and a political consultant to escape charges for allegedly failing to register as foreign agents while secretly representing Venezuela's state-owned oil company, saying the charges aren't too late.

  6. April 17, 2026

    Ex-Rep. Didn't Fund Venezuelan Opposition, Accountant Says

    A forensic accountant testified in Florida federal court on Friday that his investigation into the finances of politician David Rivera found that no funds were given to Venezuelan opposition officials, telling jurors how he followed the money trail of the one-time congressman accused of secretly lobbying for a foreign government.

  7. April 09, 2026

    Rivera's Ex-Partner Kept Cut Of $50M Venezuela Contract

    Real estate developer and convicted drug trafficker Hugo Perera told jurors Thursday he regretted "1,000%" getting involved with former U.S. Rep. David Rivera in a $50 million contract with a unit of Venezuela's state-owned oil company but admitted he kept his $5 million cut of the deal.

  8. April 07, 2026

    Rivera Kept $50M Venezuela Deal Quiet, Ex-Partner Says

    The government's star witness took the stand Tuesday in the criminal case against former U.S. Rep. David Rivera of Florida, telling jurors that Rivera and others kept a $50 million consulting contract with a unit of Venezuela's state-owned oil company quiet because of concerns about how it would be perceived in Miami.

  9. April 01, 2026

    Ex-Diplomat Says Rep. Rivera's Liaison Was Out For Himself

    A retired diplomat Wednesday described former Florida congressman David Rivera's Venezuelan contact Raúl Gorrín as a wealthy businessman "distrusted by everybody," telling jurors in the criminal trial against Rivera that Gorrín was willing to work with the Venezuelan regime when financially beneficial.

  10. March 31, 2026

    Lobbyist Blocked Rivera After Tying Him To $50M Oil Deal

    Republican lobbyist Brian Ballard was "exceptionally angry" and blocked former Florida Congressman David Rivera's number after Rivera insinuated Ballard was tied to a $50 million consulting agreement Rivera signed with the U.S. affiliate of Venezuela's state-owned company, Ballard testified Tuesday in federal court.