Ex-congressman charged with money laundering over $50m Venezuela deal

Republican David Rivera, arrested over consulting contract, also charged with acting as unregistered agent of Maduro government

A former Miami congressman who signed a $50m consulting contract with Venezuela's socialist government was arrested on Monday on charges of money laundering and representing a foreign government without registering.

David Rivera, a Republican who served in the US House from 2011 to 2013, was arrested at Atlanta's airport, authorities said. An eight-count indictment against him alleges he was part of a conspiracy to lobby on behalf of Venezuela to improve US-Venezuela relations, resolve an oil company legal dispute and end American economic sanctions against the South American nation - without registering as a foreign agent.