Manuel Rocha, a former US ambassador, sentenced to 15 years for serving as secret agent for Cuba
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.
Related articles
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
GENEVA (AP) — Needing a win to face Novak Djokovic next at the Geneva Open, Andy Murray was saved by2024-05-21US House passes bill that could ban TikTok nationwide
By David Shepardson for ReutersThe fate of TikTok, used by about 170 million Americans, has become a2024-05-21Coronavirus death toll in Italy surpasses China
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-21Mirror suits and serenades: The allure of Chris Isaak
Singer/songwriter Chris Isaak Photo:2024-05-21The government wants to buy their flood
HOUSTON (AP) — After the floodwaters earlier this month just about swallowed two of the six homes th2024-05-21Tarata Road gravel fix plan raises ire of small Taranaki community
Big rigs are a common sight on Tarata Road in Taranaki. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin2024-05-21
atest comment