Former US Congressman Convicted of Lobbying for Maduro

A federal court in Miami has found former US congressman David Rivera guilty of illegally lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro. Prosecutors said he sought to influence US officials in 2017 without registering as a foreign agent, in violation of federal law.

Rivera was to receive millions of dollars for his activities through companies linked to the Venezuelan state. The trial lasted six weeks and drew attention for the testimony of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said he had been unaware of Rivera's ties to the Venezuelan government.

The defense argued that Rivera had been trying to help the opposition rather than Maduro's government. The jury, however, upheld guilt on all counts of the indictment.

(reuters)