Blog — States

May 11, 2012

Marco Rubio / David Rivera Relationship Strong Despite Fundraising Questions

By CREW Staff

States, Florida, House Members, David Rivera, Political Candidates, Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio Official Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has been standing by Rep. David Rivera (R-FL) despite a high-profile federal investigation into Rep. Rivera’s campaign and personal finances. The relationship has drawn scrutiny, at least partially due to Sen. Rubio’s much-speculated-about status as a possible vice-presidential pick. Nonetheless, the two men have been friends for years, and Sen. Rubio has said he will not desert Rep. Rivera, regardless of his troubles. It’s worth noting, though, that Rep. Rivera is not the only figure in the scandal with ties to Sen. Rubio. Esther Nuhfer, a consultant to Sen. Rubio’s campaign committee, is waist-deep in the investigation.

Ms. Nuhfer, a fundraising consultant whom Rep. Rivera once described as his girlfriend, has been under investigation as part of a potential kickback scheme involving her firm, Communication Solutions, and Rep. Rivera. Political campaigns and committees tied to Rep. Rivera have paid Communication Solutions at least $817,000 since 2006, and investigators are looking to see if any of that money found its way back into Rep. Rivera’s pocket. The FBI has also interviewed Ms. Nuhfer about payments from Flagler Dog Track, a company that hired Rep. Rivera to promote slot machines in Miami but made payments to a company owned by his godmother.

The ethical cloud hanging over Ms. Nuhfer doesn’t seem to bother Sen. Rubio. His campaign committee paid more than $112,000 in payments to Communications Solutions in the 2010 election cycle, and Ms. Nuhfer is still fundraising for the senator. In December 2011, Ms. Nuhfer raised more than $200,000 for Sen. Rubio at a swanky downtown Miami hotel luncheon.

It’s one thing to stand by an old friend. It is another matter, however, for an ambitious politician to have his finances enmeshed with those of someone under investigation for shady financial transactions.