New questions have emerged about Mike Rogers’ foreign business dealings after a report from Michigan Advance stated that Rogers, a former congressman and current Florida resident, earned nearly $100,000 for advising a company that admitted in 2022 to collaborating with the Venezuelan government under Nicolas Maduro to monitor its citizens. This revelation is the latest in a series of allegations regarding Rogers’ professional conduct since leaving Congress.
Rogers has claimed he was unaware of Telefonica’s connection to Maduro until questioned by Michigan Advance. However, a report from September 2024 by American Journal News had already linked Rogers, the company he advised, and Telefonica’s work with the Maduro regime. The same report also discussed his connections with other foreign interests.
Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Joey Hannum commented on the situation: “Revolving Door Rogers left Congress and cashed in on his connections to land a cushy job advising a tech company that helped dictators like Maduro spy on their citizens—just like he enriched himself through his work with companies that partnered with Chinese firms and other shady foreign interests. It’s clear that Rogers is lying to cover up yet another instance of his corruption and self-enrichment. Michiganders deserve the truth: What did Mike Rogers know, and when did he know it?”
According to reports, after leaving Congress, Rogers increased his personal wealth by working as an advisor for various companies related to issues he dealt with while in office. He reportedly earned more than $32,000 from paid speeches in 2022 and close to $2 million from board positions at technology and cybersecurity firms over two years.
During his time in Congress, Rogers promoted policies favorable to pharmaceutical companies while receiving significant campaign contributions from those same firms. These companies are now paying settlements related to their roles in the opioid crisis. At the same time as receiving these contributions, Rogers voted against measures intended to lower prescription drug costs.
Additionally, reports indicate that Rogers gained wealth through businesses connected with Chinese firms and worked for IP3 International after leaving Congress. IP3 International sought support for building nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia under less strict regulations—a move critics said could have enabled Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons.
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