Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed two arrest warrants this morning for corruption against the mayor of Humacao, Reinaldo Vargas Rodríguez, and the mayor of Aguas Buenas, Javier García Pérez.
The head of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, explained that a grand jury issued criminal charges against the municipal executive of Aguas Buenas on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, receiving “kickbacks” and extortion.
The scheme in which García Pérez allegedly participated dates back to 2017 and involves payment by two contractors in exchange for contracts for asphalting and resurfacing work, as well as debris and garbage removal.
According to Muldrow, García Pérez received at least $32,000 as part of this scheme.
García Pérez is exposed to five years in prison for conspiracy, another 10 for the charge of bribery and another 20 for extortion.
Similarly, Vargas Rodríguez was also arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, extortion and receiving kickbacks from two contractors in exchange for making agreements for asphalting and resurfacing of public roads and garbage collection.
Between March and April 2021, the president from Humacao obtained $15,000.
Earlier, the lawyer Osvaldo Carlo, legal representative of the two mayors, confirmed to the press that they were arrested.
“This morning I had a communication with the relatives of both mayors. Both are physically in the FBI. They are being prosecuted. Once that process is finished, they will go on federal probation,” Carlo said in radio statements.
On the other hand, he also said that the hearing in the case would be before Judge Marcos López, who is on duty.
Shortly after the arrests were confirmed, Governor Pedro Pierluisi came out to request the resignation of both mayors.
“I have been firm with this type of case and this time is no exception, so I demand the immediate resignation of both mayors arrested today,” the governor wrote on his social networks.
“I hope that the force of the law falls on them and on anyone who thinks of failing Puerto Rico again. Corruption is a social evil that we will not tolerate. The arrests of these two mayors are a serious blow to the confidence of the It seems incredible to me that we have to continue going through this, but the People can be sure that as governor and president of a party my hand will not shake to repudiate illegal actions, wherever they come from, “he added.
With these arrests, there would be a total of five mayors involved in acts of corruption so far this term. In addition to those from Humacao, Aguas Buenas, the mayor from Cataño (Félix “El Cano” Delgado), the one from Guaynabo (Ángel Pérez) and the one from Guayama (Eduardo Cintrón) have also been accused.
