The Eleventh Circuit has vacated a judgment and $456,000 fine against former U.S. congressman David Rivera, who was accused by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) of violating campaign finance laws. The appeals court determined that the lower court had improperly discounted Rivera’s competing testimony, leading to its decision to remand the case for further proceedings. This development in the “David Rivera $456K Fine” case marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal saga.
David Rivera $456K Fine : Appeals Court Finds Lower Court’s Error
The appeals court’s decision to vacate the $456,000 fine and send the case back to the lower court was reached after a request for rehearing by Rivera was denied earlier in the week. Rivera had argued that the federal court lacked jurisdiction and that the FEC did not comply with pre-suit notice requirements.
In July, the Eleventh Circuit concluded that the district court had erred in granting summary judgment for the FEC, as genuine issues of material fact still existed and should have been presented to a jury. The lower court relied on grand jury testimony, a plea colloquy from one of Rivera’s associates, and testimony from independent witnesses, while improperly discounting Rivera’s deposition testimony and two sworn affidavits.
