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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. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. March 27, 2026

    Lawyer Says Contract With Rivera Was For Venezuela's Oil Co.

    The $50 million consulting contract that former Florida Congressman David Rivera signed with the U.S. affiliate of Venezuela's state-owned oil company was ultimately funded and controlled by the Venezuelan parent company, the attorney who drafted the document said Friday at Rivera's trial on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent.

  7. March 26, 2026

    Venezuelan Leader Says Ex-Fla. Rep Couldn't Get US Meetings

    A Venezuelan political opposition leader told jurors Thursday that he connected with former Florida congressman David Rivera to try to secure meetings with high-level U.S. officials in the first Trump administration, but Rivera — who is on trial for allegedly failing to register as a foreign agent — failed to deliver.

  8. March 24, 2026

    Rubio Says He Didn't Know Of Friend's Venezuelan Oil Deal

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not have met with an old friend, former Rep. David Rivera, to discuss a government transition in Venezuela had he known Rivera's company had a contract with a subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Rubio told jurors Monday.

  9. March 23, 2026

    Ex-Fla. Rep Paid To Secretly Lobby For Maduro, Jurors Told

    A prosecutor told a Florida federal jury Monday that former congressman David Rivera and a political consultant conspired to secretly lobby for deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in violation of the law, saying they were paid to help influence U.S. official policy toward the South American country without approval.

  10. March 20, 2026

    Ex-Fla. Rep Denied 11th-Hour Depo In Foreign Agent Case

    A Florida federal judge Friday denied a former congressman's requests to depose a key witness and have the government turn over interview notes before the start of a trial on charges of failing to register as a Venezuelan foreign agent, saying the defense counsel can still ask questions on cross-examination.