Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to testify this week in the trial of former Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.), who is accused of secretly lobbying on behalf of Venezuela.
The trial begins March 23, with Rubio set to speak on March 24 about his relationship with Rivera, a longtime friend and former roommate during their time in the Florida Legislature.
Prosecutors claim Rivera acted as a paid agent for former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, using his Republican connections from Congress to try to influence the White House to soften its stance toward Venezuela’s socialist government.
According to the allegations, Rivera secured a $50 million lobbying contract from Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez, with payments tied to state oil company PDVSA. Prosecutors say Rivera worked with Texas Congressman Pete Sessions and a convicted drug cartel associate to arrange meetings with U.S. officials and ExxonMobil. Sessions has not been charged….
Rubio to Testify in Trial Over Former Congressman Accused of Lobbying for Venezuela
