Judge suggests former Fla. congressman David Rivera be fined nearly $60,000
The former Cuban-American congressman from South Florida with a penchant for scandals is in the limelight again. David Rivera’s latest woes involve a possible hefty…
Former Republican Congressional candidate David Rivera is greeted by supporters as he campaigns at an early voting site on October 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. He’s now facing possible fines for his use of campaign money. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The former Cuban-American congressman from South Florida with a penchant for scandals is in the limelight again. David Rivera’s latest woes involve a possible hefty fine involving the use of campaign money.
This time around, Rivera is accused of accepting state reimbursement for travel already paid for by campaign accounts and not being entirely honest about certain financial information such as his income.
Judge W. David Watkins, an administrative law judge, said Rivera should pay nearly $58,000 in fines and restitution in a long-running ethics case.
SEE ALSO: Gal pal says former Fla. congressman David Rivera must pay for crimes
The State Commission on Ethics sent the case back to Watkins for a recommendation about penalties, who recommended that the corrupt politician should pay $16,500 in fines and nearly $41,322 in restitution and should face censure and reprimand, according to CBS Miami.
Rivera ran against Democrat Joe Garcia for the 25th congressional district. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The recommendation will go back to the ethics commission, who will decide whether Rivera is actually guilty or not. The ultimate decision about penalties would be made by the House speaker, Watkins ruling said.
Rivera, who served in Congress between 2010 and 2012, has been involved in political scandals in the pas,t including the famous real-life political saga involving his ex girlfriend and ex campaign manager Ana Alliegro.
According to Alliegros side of the story, Rivera was the mastermind behind a scheme that landed her and a man named Lamar Sternard in jail.
During the 2012 elections, Rivera allegedly funded the campaign of Democratic Congressional candidate Justin Lamar Sternad, who was running against his rival Rep. Joe Garcia.
Alliegro says Rivera told her to work on getting Sternad to agree to the scheme. Rivera would pay for a cell phone, robo-calls, flyers, and even rental cars for the election all to make Sternad look like a legitimate candidate.
SEE ALSO: Democrat Joe Garcia declared victory against David Rivera
However, the plan was to create a political distraction and prevent Garcia from getting a majority of the votes, giving the election victory to Rivera. Last year, Sternad testified to the scheme.
He was sentenced to 30 days in prison and 3 months house arrest while Alliegro received 6 months in jail, 6 months on house arrest. Rivera was the only one not found guilty, but the investigation continues.
He was also found in violation of seven instances of Floridas Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees while he served in the state House.
