Manuel Rocha, a former US ambassador, sentenced to 15 years for serving as secret agent for Cuba
Time:2024-05-21 15:28:14 Source:politicsViews(143)
MIAMI (AP) — A former career U.S. diplomat was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison after admitting he worked for decades as a secret agent for communist Cuba, a plea agreement that leaves many unanswered questions about a betrayal that stunned the U.S. foreign service.
Manuel Rocha, 73, will also pay a $500,000 fine and cooperate with authorities after pleading guilty to conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed more than a dozen other counts, including wire fraud and making false statements.
“Your actions were a direct attack to our democracy and the safety of our citizens,” U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom told Rocha.
Rocha, dressed in a beige jail uniform, asked his friends and family for forgiveness. “I take full responsibility and accept the penalty,” he said.
The sentencing capped an exceptionally swift criminal case and averted a trial that would have shed new light on what, exactly, Rocha did to help Cuba even as he worked for two decades for the U.S. State Department.
Previous:Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Next:Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?
You may also like
- Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
- Brewers left
- Feeling lucky? Brainteaser challenges YOU to spot a four
- Shohei Ohtani responds to Toronto boos by hitting 7th homer as the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays 12
- California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
- Man killed while fleeing Indiana police had previously resisted law enforcement
- Queen Mary of Denmark wears the palace's stunning crown jewels for the first time
- FEC fines ex
- Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands