Overview
- The Miami trial began Monday, with the former congressman pleading not guilty and remaining free on bond.
- Prosecutors say Rivera received about $20 million tied to Venezuela’s state oil interests to press U.S. officials and energy executives to ease sanctions.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to testify Tuesday about meetings and texts cited in the indictment, and he is not accused of wrongdoing.
- Evidence outlined by prosecutors includes an encrypted “MIA” chat with media executive Raúl Gorrín that used code names for Nicolás Maduro, Rep. Pete Sessions, and payments.
- Rivera’s lawyers argue he worked for a U.S. affiliate on commercial matters or to support Venezuela’s opposition, so the foreign-agent registration law did not apply.