Rivera's Trial: Foreign Lobbying, Code Words, and Yachts

0:00The federal trial of former Miami Congressman David Rivera starts Monday. He's accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela's government under Nicolas Maduro during the first Trump administration. Prosecutors say he took a $50 million contract from the state oil company, PDVSA, without registering as a foreign agent. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime friend and former roommate, is set to testify about their interactions. Rivera allegedly used his Republican ties to push for softer U.S. policy on Venezuela. He worked with Texas Congressman Pete Sessions and media tycoon Raul Goren, setting up meetings in cities like New York, Washington, and Dallas. They used code words in encrypted chats, like calling Maduro, the bus driver, and money melons, to hide their efforts aimed at White House and Exxon, mobile context. The case highlights Rivera's past controversies and connections. More Congress, he roamed with Rubio in Florida politics.

1:00Efforts to normalize ties with Maduro, failed back then amid Trump's maximum pressure sanctions. Now, with Maduro out and a new leader in, those goals seem closer, but on U.S. terms. Prosecutors claim Rivera got about $20 million, but did little legitimate work, funneling some to Goren's yacht. His defense says the contract was with a U.S. subsidiary for sick goal positioning separate from any lobbying. Los Cabinet-level testimony is rare, last seen in a mafia trial over 40 years ago. This high-profile case underscores foreign influence risks in U.S. politics, with both sides digging into old networks as the trial unfolds. That's your Durham News Today update. AI-powered and always on.