Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked about interactions from nearly a decade ago with former Representative David Rivera.
of a former congressman accused of lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government, making Rubio the first sitting member of the president'sThe last sitting Cabinet member to deliver testimony in a criminal trial was Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan, who testified at a mafia trial in 1983.
Rivera and an associate were charged in 2022 with money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent after being awarded a $50 million lobbying contract from the government of Nicolás Maduro, who was president ofwith heightened security. Rubio testified that he became"very close” with Rivera when they both were serving as members of the Florida Legislature in the early 2000s. They remained close after being elected to Rubio said he received a call in July 2017 from Rivera saying he needed to see him urgently to discuss Venezuela. Rivera said he was working with Raul Gorrin, a media magnate in Venezuela, on a plan to convince Maduro to step down as president, according to Rubio's testimony. The secretary of state added that the Maduro government was full of “double-dealers” who were constantly promoting plans to betray Maduro. “But if there was a 1 percent chance it was real, and I had a role to play alerting the White House, I was open to doing that,” he said. In the days after learning of Rivera's alleged dealings with Gorrin, Rubio wrote and delivered a speech on the Senate floor indicating that the U.S. would not retaliate against Venezuelan government insiders who worked to get Maduro out of his position as president. Rubio said he received talking points from Rivera. "He provided me with insight into some of the key phrases that regime insiders would’ve wanted to hear to know this was serious,” Rubio said. “No vengeance, no retribution.” In the indictment against Rivera, there is no indication that Rubio acted improperly as a senator at the time. Rivera and his co-defendant are accused of trying to arrange meetings for then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez, who is now serving as Venezuela's acting president after Maduro was ousted, in Dallas, New York, Washington and Caracas with White House officials, members of Congress and the chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil. Prosecutors say the purpose of the $50 million lobbying contract Rivera was awarded was to persuade President Donald Trump's administration during his first term to normalize relations with Maduro’s government. Rivera has argued that his firm, Interamerican Consulting, was hired by an American subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, and therefore did not need to register as a foreign agent. His attorney, Ed Shohat, said the contact was only focused on luring Exxon back to Venezuela, making it commercial work that is generally exempt from the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The defense said Rivera's efforts with the Venezuelan opposition to establish a plan for Maduro’s exit were separate from his consulting work. Shohat said Rivera is a “freedom fighter” and “ardent opponent of communism wherever it rears its ugly head.”"This case is about two things: greed and betrayal. The evidence will show that for $50 million these two defendants made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro.”"The government’s theory is utterly preposterous.", ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not"both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you., you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations.
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Rubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for VenezuelaFormer congressman David Rivera goes on trial Monday over allegations he secretly lobbied for Venezuela’s government during the first Trump administration.
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Rubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for VenezuelaThe Associated Press
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Rubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for VenezuelaProsecutors allege Rivera was a hired gun for former President Nicolás Maduro.
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Rubio to testify today in criminal trial of ex-congressman accused of illegal lobbying for VenezuelaFormer Rep. David Rivera of Florida is accused of secretly lobbying for the Venezuelan government during the first Trump administration.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio to testify at trial of former Florida congressmanUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to testify Tuesday in the trial of former Florida congressman David Rivera, a close friend and political ally who faces money laundering charges.
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