Ex Congressman Arrest
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Miami congressman who signed a $50 million consulting contract with Venezuela’s socialist government was arrested Monday on charges of money laundering and representing a foreign government without registering.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami says Republican David Rivera was arrested at Atlanta’s airport. The eight-count indictment alleges he was part of a conspiracy to lobby on behalf of Venezuela to improve U.S.-Venezuela relations, resolve an oil company legal dispute and end U.S. economic sanctions against the South American nation — without registering as a foreign agent.
A lawyer for Rivera said he had not seen the indictment and Rivera did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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