Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified Tuesday in federal court that he was unaware of alleged criminal activity by former Rep. David Rivera, his one-time housemate, who is accused of secretly lobbying for the Venezuelan government during the first Trump administration.
Rubio’s Testimony
Rubio described a 2017 meeting with Rivera where he was told “insiders in the regime in Venezuela” had convinced former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step aside. Rubio stated he had no knowledge that Rivera had allegedly been contracted by a subsidiary of a Venezuelan state oil company to arrange the meeting.
Rubio said he was “skeptical” of claims that Maduro would step aside, noting that others had made similar claims previously with unreliable results.
Allegations Against Rivera and Nuhfer
Prosecutors allege that Rivera worked with Esther Nuhfer to influence the Trump administration on behalf of Maduro and then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, with the goal of easing tensions and sanctions between the U.S. And Venezuela. Rodriguez is now the interim president, following the U.S. Removal of Maduro and his prosecution on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Rivera and Nuhfer were indicted in 2022 on charges of money laundering and failing to register as foreign agents. Prosecutors allege they were hired under a $50 million contract for three months of lobbying work in 2017 on behalf of CITGO, a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
The indictment accuses Rivera and Nuhfer of attempting to lobby Rubio and former White House advisor Kellyanne Conway on behalf of high-ranking Venezuelan officials. While attempts to meet with Conway were unsuccessful, the pair reportedly arranged two meetings with Rubio, a longtime friend of Rivera and vocal critic of the Maduro regime.
Rubio’s Interactions with Rivera
Rubio testified he had no direct knowledge of any crimes related to the case. He stated, “I have no such knowledge other than what is in the press and what is in the indictment” when questioned about the alleged $50 million contract.
Rubio, currently involved in the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts regarding Iran, is the first sitting member of the president’s Cabinet to testify in a criminal trial since 1983. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing in his interactions with Rivera.
Rubio and Rivera previously lived together in Tallahassee while serving in the Florida state legislature, and Nuhfer was a political advisor to both men. After Rivera left Congress in 2013, Rubio said their communication became less frequent.
Rubio stated that he and Rivera frequently discussed politics, particularly events in the Western Hemisphere, through 2017. In July 2017, Rivera contacted Rubio requesting an urgent meeting. Rivera flew to Washington, D.C. The following day to meet with Rubio at his home.
During the two-hour meeting, Rivera claimed “insiders in the regime in Venezuela” had convinced Maduro to step aside and that Raul Gorrin, a businessman with ties to the Maduro regime, would deliver a letter to President Trump signaling potential resistance to Maduro within Venezuela. Rivera also reportedly showed Rubio “a bunch of money” on a laptop intended to support the Venezuelan opposition, but did not disclose its source.
Rubio said he contacted the White House the next morning and “briefly spoke to the president,” mentioning “there might be something going on in Venezuela.” He never received the letter from Gorrin and was unaware of Rivera’s alleged contract with the Venezuelan oil subsidiary.
A subsequent meeting occurred where Rivera said Gorrin would be accompanied by a member of the anti-Maduro opposition to deliver the promised letter. Rubio said the meeting was unproductive, as Gorrin and others discussed the situation in Venezuela but did not present the letter. Rubio described the meeting as a “total waste of my time” and said he was “frankly angry.”
Days after this meeting, Rubio’s office was informed of an assassination contract taken out against him by a Venezuelan gang led by Diosdado Cabello, resulting in a Capitol Police detail for over a year.
Defense Arguments
Rivera’s attorneys argued his lobbying efforts were exempt from the Foreign Agents Registration Act because they focused on bringing Exxon back to Venezuela. They also claimed that Rivera’s meetings with Rubio were unrelated to the alleged lobbying work for the Maduro regime.
During cross-examination, Rivera’s attorney even asked Rubio for his autograph, prompting laughter in the courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is David Rivera accused of?
David Rivera is accused of secretly lobbying for the Venezuelan government during the first Trump administration, alongside Esther Nuhfer, in exchange for $50 million.
What was Marco Rubio’s role in this case?
Marco Rubio testified that he had no knowledge of Rivera’s alleged crimes and that Rivera never disclosed he was representing an entity of the Maduro regime.
What did prosecutors say about the case?
Prosecutors stated the case is about “greed and betrayal,” alleging Rivera and Nuhfer made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez.
As this trial unfolds, it remains to be seen what further evidence will emerge and how it will impact the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations.
