Dems Say They Join GOP In Calling For Rivera To Resign
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Democratic Party of Florida said Friday it joins "Republicans in calling on Congressman David Rivera to resign." Democrats made the statement after a New York Times report said GOP pressure is growing Rivera to leave.
"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," said Florida Democratic executive director Scott Aceneaux.
The Time report Thursday quoted a Republican consultant from Miami Beach as saying the party wants Rivera out.
"I know the Republicans are putting enormous pressure on him to drop out," said consultant Roger Stone, who added that Senator Marco Rubio has been asked to intervene in the situation, according to the Times.
Senator Rubio and Rep. Rivera have a history as they were roommates when both were in the Florida House of Representatives.
Rivera's problems have been mounting in recent weeks. Thursday, he was charged with 11 ethics violations by the Florida Ethics Commission for his role in alleged wrongdoing concerning campaign finance issues.
Rivera is also the subject of a federal investigation as to whether he bankrolled a Democratic challenger to his opponent, Joe Garcia. The federal grand jury investigation is ongoing and according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the puppet candidate, Justin Lamar Sternad, has told federal investigators Rivera was behind his campaign.
Rivera has repeatedly said he had nothing to do with the candidacy of Sternad and has numerous times refused to acknowledge he is even being investigated.
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonpartisan group, named Rivera as the most corrupt member of Congress. Rivera has also run campaign ads that said Garcia was under investigation for breaking the law, which are inaccurate, according to the Times.
