Ex-Rep. David Rivera Gets 10 Years For Secret Venezuela Lobbying
On Friday, October 2, 2026, U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian in Miami sentenced former Rep. David Rivera to 10 years in prison for his role in a secret $50 million Venezuela lobbying campaign.[1]
Prosecutors said Rivera's three-month, $50 million commercial contract with PDV USA was a cover for undisclosed political lobbying on behalf of Venezuela's government.[1] Trial evidence included an encrypted "MIA" chat group tied to Venezuelan media tycoon Raúl Gorrín that used code names for leaders and U.S. lawmakers, prosecutors told the court.[1] Judge Damian called it "a classic money laundering case" and said there was "no dispute" the funds came from the Maduro regime.[1]
Rivera's contract was with PDV USA, a New York affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, and prosecutors described concealment steps that included backdated documents.[1] They said a sham agreement was used to justify a $3.75 million wire to a South Florida company that maintained Gorrín's luxury yacht.[1]
Rivera has applied for a presidential pardon and faces additional federal charges in Washington, D.C., in a related foreign-lobbying case.[1] Key figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Rep. Pete Sessions testified they felt betrayed when they learned of Rivera's contract, even as Miami political figures submitted letters and testimony urging leniency.[1]
CBS News also reported on Rivera's sentencing.[2]
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, Judge Melissa Damian in Miami sentenced former Rep. David Rivera to 10 years in prison for his role in a secret $50 million Venezuela lobbying campaign.
- Rivera’s three-month, $50 million contract was with PDV USA, a New York–based affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, and prosecutors said the commercial contract was used as cover for undisclosed political lobbying.
- Trial evidence included an encrypted “MIA” chat group with Venezuelan media tycoon Raúl Gorrín that used code names such as “bus driver” for Nicolás Maduro, “Sombrero” for Rep. Pete Sessions, “The Lady in Red” for Delcy Rodríguez and “Miss Clairol” for Sen. Marco Rubio.
- Judge Damian characterized the matter as "a classic money laundering case" and emphasized there was "no dispute" the money came from the Maduro regime.
- Prosecutors described concealment steps including backdated documents and a sham agreement used to justify a $3.75 million wire to a South Florida company that maintained Gorrín’s luxury yacht.
- Rivera has applied for a presidential pardon and also faces additional federal charges in Washington, D.C., in a related foreign‑lobbying case.
- Key political figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Rep. Pete Sessions, testified they felt betrayed when they learned of Rivera’s contract with PDV USA.
- The report provides broader context on Rivera’s past controversies and his continued standing in Miami’s Cuban American political establishment, including letters and testimony seeking leniency at sentencing.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, Judge Melissa Damian in Miami sentenced former Rep. David Rivera to 10 years in prison for his role in a secret $50 million Venezuela lobbying campaign.
- The article details that Rivera’s three‑month, $50 million contract was with PDV USA, a New York-based affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, and that prosecutors argued he used the commercial contract as cover for undisclosed political lobbying.
- Trial evidence included an encrypted "MIA" chat group with Venezuelan media tycoon Raúl Gorrín, using code names such as "bus driver" for Nicolás Maduro, "Sombrero" for Rep. Pete Sessions, "The Lady in Red" for Delcy Rodríguez, and "Miss Clairol" for Sen. Marco Rubio.
- Judge Damian characterized the matter as "a classic money laundering case" and emphasized that there was "no dispute" the money came from the Maduro regime.
- Prosecutors described specific concealment steps, including backdated documents and a sham agreement used to justify a $3.75 million wire to a South Florida company that maintained Gorrín’s luxury yacht.
- The story notes that Rivera has applied for a presidential pardon and also faces additional federal charges in Washington, D.C., in a related foreign-lobbying case.
- The report adds that key political figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Rep. Pete Sessions, testified they felt betrayed when they learned of Rivera’s contract with PDV USA.
- The article provides broader context on Rivera’s past controversies and his continued standing in Miami’s Cuban American political establishment, including letters and testimony seeking leniency at sentencing.