MIAMI — A federal jury convicted a wealthy Venezuelan on Monday of acting as an illegal foreign agent who came to the U.S. to cover up a Latin American political scandal involving a cash-stuffed suitcase smuggled into Argentina.
Jurors deliberated seven days — at one point appearing to be hopelessly deadlocked — before finding Franklin Duran, 41, guilty of foreign-agent and conspiracy charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Duran showed no emotion at the verdict. U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard set sentencing for Jan. 12.
Prosecutors said during the eight-week trial that Duran and other South American men came to Miami on orders of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to ensure the silence of a man who carried a suitcase filled with $800,000 into Argentina in 2007. The U.S. said the money was a secret political donation to the campaign of Argentina’s president.
Duran attorney Ed Shohat contended his client was entrapped by the FBI and came to Miami only to help a friend and protect business interests. Shohat vowed Monday to appeal, calling the trial “a political circus” orchestrated by the U.S. to embarrass Chavez and his allies.
Three other South American men previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the coverup, including Duran’s business partner, Carlos Kauffmann, 36.
