MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A federal jury in Miami found a former U.S. congressman and a lobbyist guilty of secretly working on behalf of the Venezuelan government in a multi-million dollar foreign influence scheme.

Prosecutors say 60-year-old former Congressman David Rivera, a Republican and outspoken anti-communist who represented Florida’s 25th District from 2011 to 2013, and lobbyist and political consultant, 51-year-old Esther Nuhfer, failed to register as foreign agents while lobbying U.S. officials and laundering millions linked to a $50 million contract with Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.

According to court records, the pair used the contract to advance the interests of the Venezuelan government, including arranging meetings between U.S. policymakers and high-ranking officials, such as former President Nicolás Maduro and then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez, who is now the acting President of Venezuela.

Officials say Rivera and Nuhfer also lobbied U.S. leaders, including then-Senator and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, while using coded language in communications to conceal their actions.

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Federal officials say Rivera used $600,000 from the proceeds to fund a Florida state campaign and other personal expenses, while Nuhfer spent around $455,000 on a home in Key Colony Beach.

“These convictions expose a simple truth: the defendants sold access and influence to a hostile foreign regime for money,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones.

The jury found Rivera guilty of multiple charges, including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and money laundering. Nuhfer was also convicted on similar counts.

Rivera faces up to 60 years in prison, while Nuhfer faces up to 30 years. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge at a later date.