TALLAHASSEE, FL — One day after Sen. Marco Rubio stood in the pouring down rain rather than face questions about the federal grand jury investigation into his friend, embattled Congressman David Rivera, Speaker John Boehner is campaigning for Romney and Ryan in southern Florida — but he’s staying far away from Miami. 

Speaker Boehner has yet to condemn Rivera’s nefarious activities, or join Florida Democrats in calling on Rivera to finally come clean to voters about his involvement in a shadow campaign for Sternad “that might have broken federal laws.” And while FL-26 is quickly becoming a no-fly zone for Republicans, Florida Democrats have issued five questions that House Republican leadership should have to answer about their colleague, Congressman Rivera. 

“While Speaker Boehner campaigns in South Florida, he should have to answer questions about Congressman Rivera’s nefarious and un-becoming conduct — and we hope he’ll join Florida Democrats in urging Rivera to come clean about his role in the likely illegal shadow campaign for Justin Lamar Sternad so that voters can make a fair judgement about Rivera’s actions and law enforcement can do it’s work,” said Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux. “The GOP should have to tell the American people whether their party stands with Rivera as he embarrasses the people of south Florida, or if they will condemn Rivera’s outrageously scandalous and likely illegal activities.” 

THE FIVE QUESTIONS HOUSE REPUBLICANS SHOULD HAVE TO ANSWER ABOUT DAVID RIVERA: 

1. Is Republican leadership willing to campaign, or even been seen with Congressman David Rivera?“Rivera has little campaign money and, apparently, few friends left among party leaders. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney held a rally recently in Rivera’s district — but Rivera was conspicuously absent.” [NPR, 9/25/12] 

2. Does Republican leadership condone running shadow campaigns for Democrats?“Justin Lamar Sternad, whose failed congressional campaign became the subject of a federal grand-jury investigation, has told the FBI that U.S. Rep. David Rivera was secretly behind his run for office, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald have learned.” [Miami Herald, 9/25/12] 

3. Is David Rivera referred to by his nickname, “The Gangster,” in caucus meetings?“Sternad said Alliegro referred to the congressman by his initials, ‘D.R.,’ and called him by the nickname, ‘The Gangster.’” [Miami Herald, 9/25/12] 

4. Do House Republicans besides David Rivera use Ana Alliegro as a campaign consultant? “She then sat naked at a desk with her leg up and compared the gun to a male sexual organ. ‘If you think your [expletive] is powerful (showing the gun), this is mine,’ Alliegro told Cosicher, who tried to ignore her by going to make coffee, a report said. Alliegro followed him and told him to sit on the couch. She fired a round into the ceiling. ‘You see. It’s loaded — this is business,’ Alliegro allegedly said. He tried to leave.” [Miami Herald, 9/25/12]  

5. In light of David Rivera’s scandals, does Rep. Eric Cantor stand by his “zero tolerance” ethics policy? “A Republican majority would take a “zero tolerance” policy toward ethics violations, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) pledged Wednesday” [The Hill, 8/11/10] 

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