The logo of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA is seen next to a mural depicting late President Hugo Chavez at a gas station in Caracas, March 2, 2017. Reuters / Carlos Garcia Rawlins
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: A former Venezuelan official has been sentenced by a U.S. judge to a decade in federal prison for taking part in a $1 billion bribery scheme.
Alejandro Andrade accepted a plea deal and was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg in Florida.
Andrade was a former bodyguard for the late President Hugo Chavez who ascended the ranks to become Venezuela's treasurer.
He moved to Florida after leaving office.
Prosecutors say Andrade took millions in bribes from Raul Gorrin, the owner of a Venezuelan TV network.
Andrade pleaded guilty and promised to cooperate with an ongoing probe focused on wealthy Venezuelans living in the U.S.
Venezuela's chief prosecutor recently announced that his office was seeking Andrade's extradition.
