the role of the government of Venezuela in the attempted delivery of the approximately $ 800,000 , '' the statement said . The Justice Department statement does not say Chavez personally knew of the transaction , but says the office of the vice president and members of the Venezuelan Intelligence Directorate were aware of the matter . U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta in Miami said : `` Today 's complaint alleges an effort by the agents of Venezuela to travel to the U.S. for the purpose of coercing our citizens to help conceal the true nature of a growing international scandal . '' Although documents did not identify which candidate was to receive the donation , federal law enforcement officials confirmed the funds were intended for the campaign of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner , who went on to win the election . The four men -- three Venezuelans and one Uruguayan -- made an initial court appearance in U.S. District Court in Miami on Wednesday afternoon . Those named in the complaint are identified as Moises Maionica , 36 ; Antonio Jose Canchica Gomez , 37 ; Rodolfo Edgardo Wanseele Paciello , 40 ; Franklin Duran , 40 ; and Carlos
Four alleged Venezuelan agents have been arrested in the U.S. and charged with trying to persuade a U.S. citizen to keep quiet about a growing international election scandal . Miami businessman Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson The U.S. Justice Department said the four wanted to prevent Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson , a businessman from Miami , Florida , from talking to authorities . On August 4 , Antonini Wilson flew in a privately chartered aircraft from Caracas , Venezuela , to Buenos Aires , Argentina , where customs officers discovered $ 800,000 in cash in his possession . The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday the four men charged wanted to stop Antonini Wilson from revealing the origin of the $ 800,000 . `` The complaint filed today outlines an alleged plot by agents of the Venezuelan government to manipulate an American citizen in Miami in an effort to keep the lid on a burgeoning international scandal , '' Kenneth Wainstein , assistant attorney general for national security , said in a written statement . The agents , who worked for the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , wanted to ensure Wilson did not disclose `` the source and destination and