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Ex-U.S. congressman denied bail after conviction for lobbying for Maduro
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Ex-U.S. congressman denied bail after conviction for lobbying for Maduro

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • A U.S. judge denied bail to former Republican congressman David Rivera, who was convicted of money laundering and illegal lobbying for Venezuela's government.
  • Rivera must remain in custody until his sentencing on July 20, despite offers of a substantial bail package.
  • He faces up to a decade in federal prison and another trial in October for additional charges related to the case.

A U.S. judge has denied bail to former Republican congressman David Rivera, who was convicted in May on charges of money laundering and conducting covert lobbying for the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The ruling means Rivera will remain in custody while awaiting his sentencing, which is scheduled for July 20.

Despite support from several South Florida political and business figures who offered to back a significant bail bond, Miami Judge Melissa Damian determined that Rivera has not demonstrated he does not pose a flight risk. Prosecutors had argued that Rivera's substantial foreign ties and assets increase the likelihood of him fleeing the country.

The case garnered national attention, particularly due to testimony from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a long-time friend of Rivera's from their time together in the Florida House of Representatives. Judge Damian also set October 19 as the start date for another jury trial against Rivera concerning additional charges filed in connection with the case.

that Rivera, of 60 years, must remain in custody while awaiting his sentence, scheduled for the next July 20, despite the fact that several political and business figures from South Florida offered to support a millionaire bail.

— Judge Melissa DamianThe judge's decision to deny bail to David Rivera.

Rivera, along with political consultant Esther Nuhfer, was found guilty of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), conspiracy to commit money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from criminal activity. The prosecution alleged that Rivera engaged in political activities within the U.S. to benefit the Venezuelan government and influence Washington's foreign policy toward Caracas.

Given the international nature of the activities attributed to the former congressman, the judge stated these could not be ignored when considering his release. Rivera could face up to ten years in federal prison when he is sentenced next month.

that Rivera has not demonstrated 'that he does not represent a flight risk if he is released pending sentencing.'

— Judge Melissa DamianThe judge's reasoning for denying bail.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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