SAN JUAN, Aug 4 (Reuters) – U.S. authorities on Thursday introduced felony costs in opposition to former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez, who was in workplace from 2019 to 2021, for alleged corruption throughout her 2020 election marketing campaign.
The previous governor is charged with conspiracy, federal packages bribery and trustworthy companies wire fraud, the Division of Justice (DOJ) stated in a press release.
Vazquez informed reporters she was harmless following her preliminary listening to on Thursday afternoon.
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“I’ve not dedicated any crime,” she stated. “They’ve dedicated an awesome injustice by submitting these costs.”
Based on authorities, a Venezuelan-Italian financial institution proprietor and a former FBI agent paid some $300,000 to political consultants supporting Vazquez’s marketing campaign in change for political favors.
Authorities allege that the proprietor of the financial institution Bancredito, which was underneath investigation by the island’s regulatory authority, not directly requested Vazquez to switch the regulator’s head with a hand-picked chief to go off the audit.
Bancredito’s proprietor, Julio Martin Herrera Velutini, allegedly coordinated with one among Vazquez’s marketing campaign staff, former FBI agent Mark Rossini, to hold out the bribe. Each have been charged alongside Vazquez.
Investigators say that after Vazquez’s major election loss in 2020, Herrera then tried to bribe her successor, named within the indictment solely as “Public Official A.”
Puerto Rico’s present governor, Pedro Pierluisi, isn’t underneath investigation, authorities stated.
Herrera’s makes an attempt to bribe the present governor to finish the audit of Bancredito have been unsuccessful, authorities say, as his contact allegedly representing the governor was truly appearing on behalf of the FBI.
Two others pleaded responsible for his or her involvement within the scheme in March. Frances Diaz, former president and chief govt officer of Bancredito, conspired with Herrera and others to bribe the present governor, officers say.
In the meantime, one other of Vazquez’s marketing campaign coordinators, John Blakeman, conspired with Herrera and Rossini to bribe Vazquez and with Herrera to bribe her successor, in accordance with the Division of Justice.
The 2 resist 5 years in jail, although their sentencing hearings haven’t but been scheduled.
Vazquez, in addition to Herrara and Rossini, might resist 20 years in jail if convicted, U.S. Legal professional for the District of Puerto Rico Stephen Muldrow stated.
In Vazquez’s first look in courtroom, U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose for the District of Puerto Rico Camille Velez-Rive dominated the previous governor may very well be launched on $50,000 bail on the situation she hand over her passport.
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Reporting by Ivelisse Rivera and Kylie Madry; Enhancing by Daniel Wallis
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