TALLAHASSEE, FL — On the heels of a New York Times story detailing how Republicans like Sen. Marco Rubio are now “putting enormous pressure on him [Rivera] to drop out” following yet another investigation announced this week into Rivera’s sordid conduct — this time by the Florida Ethics Commission —  the Florida Democratic Party today joined with Republicans in urging Congressman David Rivera to resign. 

STATEMENT FROM SCOTT ARCENEAUX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY:

“Congressman Rivera’s nefarious conduct has been an embarrassment to the people he was supposed to represent. Each day seems to bring more news of investigations into Rivera and his cronies’ scandalous activities, leaving little doubt that the congressman is more concerned with saving his own political life than looking out for his constituents’ interests in Washington. Republicans and Democrats agree: It is past time for Rivera to step down and come clean so that law enforcement can do its work, and the people of south Florida can have a leader who is focused on representing middle class families.”  

BACKGROUND:  

Republicans like Marco Rubio are pressuring David Rivera to drop out. “Meanwhile, his party has stepped back from Mr. Rivera. ‘I know the Republicans are putting enormous pressure on him to drop out,’ Mr. Stone said, adding that Mr. Rubio has been asked to intervene.” [New York Times, 10/24/12] 

The Florida Ethics Commission: Rivera broke 11 ethics laws while serving in Florida Legislature. “The state ethics panel found, among other charges, that former state Rep. David Rivera — now a congressman — broke state ethics laws by failing to fully disclose his finances from 2005 to 2009.” [Miami Herald, 10/24/12] 

The Miami Herald reported that Lamar Sternad told federal authorities that Rivera was behind his shadow campaign. “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. Sternad, 35, also told authorities that his campaign manager, Ana Sol Alliegro, acted as the conduit between the campaign and Rivera, who allegedly steered unreported cash to the Democrat’s campaign, according to sources familiar with the investigation and records shared with The Herald. 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]

Rivera faces separate criminal investigations by the FBI and Miami-Dade police for allegedly helping run a shadow campaign against Democrat Joe Garcia. “The FBI and Miami-Dade police have opened separate criminal investigations into the campaign of a Democratic congressional candidate who, vendors say, was aided by GOP Rep. David Rivera. Federal agents gathered campaign records, invoices and began interviewing employees at two mail and data companies used by Democrat Justin Lamar Sternad’s primary campaign. Sternad spent about $43,000 in unreported cash and checks on mail services, a witness told The Herald and authorities. Some of the money was stuffed in envelopes bulging with $100 bills.” [Miami Herald, 8/23/12]

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