MIAMI (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera filed papers Friday to run for his old seat in Congress amid a federal investigation into alleged campaign finance irregularities in the race from two years ago.
Rivera, a Republican, filed in Tallahassee to run for the 26th congressional district seat he lost in 2012 to Democrat Joe Garcia. Rivera, a former state legislator, served a single term representing a district that stretches from the southwest Miami area to Key West and includes much of Everglades National Park.
Former Rivera associate Ana Alliegro is jailed awaiting trial on charges of violating campaign finance laws during the 2012 race. She is accused of helping to illegally funnel more than $80,000 to a political novice who challenged Garcia in the primary. Prosecutors have called it an effort to weaken Garcia before the general election against Rivera.
The candidate, Justin Lamar Sternad, pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations last year and is cooperating with prosecutors. He faces a maximum of 15 years behind bars but will likely get less in exchange for his testimony.
Prosecutors have never named Rivera and he has been charged with no crime. Court documents refer to a “co-conspirator A” who allegedly worked closely with Alliegro on Sternad’s campaign. In amended Federal Election Commission forms filed last year, Sternad referred to the illicit campaign contributions as coming from “Ana Alliegro and/or David Rivera.”
Alliegro, 44, has pleaded not guilty. She faces up to five years in prison if convicted on each of four charges, which include making false statements and evading FEC contribution limits. Alliegro was arrested in Nicaragua, which prosecutors have cited as evidence she may try to flee prosecution if released on bail.
On Friday, Rivera declined to comment to reporters after filing his qualifying papers in Tallahassee, asking that questions be sent to him via email.
Rivera will have a Republican primary race against Carlos Curbelo, a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board. Curbelo issued a statement referring to “the scandals that have plagued our community for too long.”
“I believe that our district deserves better,” Curbelo said. “We deserve someone who is looking out for us, not themselves.”
Garcia’s campaign manager, Juan Penalosa, said the congressman would stay out of the GOP race.
“We’re not commenting on the Republican primary. We’re focusing on the work the congressman has ahead for the people of the district,” Penalosa said.
Rivera also was investigated by state prosecutors over alleged misuse of campaign funds, but authorities decided not to bring any charges.
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Associated Press writer Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee contributed to this story.
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