FBI arrests Puerto Rico mayor accused of bribery | Puerto Rico Police Officers and Civilians Charged with Federal Crimes in Connection with July 2012 Robbery in Bayamon, Puerto Rico

» Federales Arrestan Alcalde PPD Río Grande Eduard Rivera CORRUPCIÓN
10/07/14 20:11 from Uploads by Luis Anthony
Federales Arrestan Alcalde PPD Río Grande Eduard Rivera CORRUPCIÓN El Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI) arrestó esta mañana en su residencia al alcalde de Río Grande, Eduard Rivera Correa, por ...

» Mayor of Río Grande Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Extortion, and Obstruction ... - Federal Bureau of Investigation (press release)
10/07/14 18:55 from political status of puerto rico - Google News
Mayor of Río Grande Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Extortion, and Obstruction ... Federal Bureau of Investigation (press release) WASHINGTON—Today, Eduard Rivera-Correa, mayor of the municipality of Río Grande, Puerto Rico , was arreste...

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» FBI arrests Puerto Rico mayor accused of bribery - Yahoo News
10/07/14 17:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from puerto rico - Google News. FBI arrests Puerto Rico mayor accused of bribery Yahoo News SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — FBI agents have arrested a mayor in Puerto Rico on charges of bribery, extortion and obst...

Rio Grande react to the arrest of the greater

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 5:00 PM

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By Agustin Criollo Oquero 07.10.2014 | 24:47

An unusual air of anticipation is seen today in the center of Rio Grande at the news of the arrest of the senior, Eduard Rivera Correa by Federal Authorities.

The compulsory subject in every corner of the town was the first arrest of the municipal executive of administrative corruption Accused.

"When the smoke there's water Brings," said Junito Baez, one of several residents of the Town Yunque commenting on the arrest.

"If it was Because the salary was raised while people this girl, that's fine," said Ernesto Laboy meanwhile, another resident.

The mood Among Un Certain groups of people was even joy at the news of the arrest.

"About time, that type does not work, is the best thing that Could Have Happened to this town," said another resident who Declined to be identified.

That was Repeated One comment from mouth to mouth for the First Time travel through the city center, was the lack of interest of Rivera Correa to address the problems faced by many communities in Rio Grande, rural especially.

Puerto Rico Police Officers and Civilians Charged with Federal Crimes in Connection with July 2012 Robbery in Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:58 PM

Criminal Justice News

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Three Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) officers and two civilians were charged with robbery, firearms violations, drug conspiracy and civil rights violations for their involvement in a July 2012 robbery in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and an additional POPR officer was charged with lying to federal agents.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in ChargeCarlos Cases of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.

Jorge Fernandez-Aviles, 48, Fernando Reyes-Rojas, 42, and David Figueroa-Rodríguez, 32, were charged in an indictment returned yesterday in the District of Puerto Rico with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit civil rights violations; Fernandez and Reyes were also charged with one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances and one count of firearms possession.   Alexander Mir-Hernandez, 39, was charged with one count of false statements for lying to federal agents about his role and the roles of others in the July 2012 robbery.

Pedro Lopez-Torres, 35, and Luis Ramos-Figueroa, 38, were each charged by information on June 25, 2014, for their roles in the July 2012 robbery and other crimes.   Lopez and Ramos pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge José A. Fusté of the District of Puerto Rico on the same day.   The charges against them were unsealed today.  

At the time of the crimes charged, Jorge Fernandez-Aviles was a sergeant with POPR, Pedro Lopez-Torres, Luis Ramos-Figueroa and Alexander Mir-Hernandez were POPR officers, and Fernando Reyes-Rojas and David Figueroa-Rodríguez were civilians.  

According to court documents, Reyes asked POPR Sergeant Fernandez and Officers Lopez and Ramos to participate in a robbery of a civilian.   The officers agreed amongst themselves to participate.   They further agreed that Officer Ramos would invite his cousin, Figueroa, to join them, and Officer Lopez would contact Officer Mir to borrow a marked patrol car to facilitate the planned robbery.

On July 14, 2012, Sergeant Fernandez, Officer Lopez, Officer Ramos and Figueroa went to the airport where they picked up a marked patrol car from Officer Mir.   They drove the patrol car to meet Reyes and then went together to the location of the robbery.   Sergeant Fernandez, Officer Lopez and Officer Ramos were dressed in dark colored, tactical police gear and armed with their POPR issued handguns.   Figueroa and Reyes were also dressed in dark colored clothing, and Reyes appeared to have a handgun as well.

Upon entering the house through the garage, one or more of the officers identified themselves as police and falsely claimed they were executing a search warrant.   They ordered several individuals in the garage to stand facing the wall and searched them for weapons.   While Figueroa watched the occupants, Sergeant Fernandez, Officer Lopez, Officer Ramos and Reyes searched the property.  They ultimately went to a shed in the backyard, where Reyes found cocaine and exclaimed, “Bingo!”  At that point, they all departed in their respective vehicles.   A few days later, Reyes met with Lopez and gave him money, which Reyes explained was a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cocaine he took on the day of the robbery.   Officer Lopez split the money with Sergeant Fernandez and Officer Ramos.

According to the indictment, Officer Mir was interviewed by Special Agents of the FBI and lied.  Officer Mir falsely claimed that he did not recognize a photograph of Officer Lopez; that he had not met with Officer Lopez in more than six months; and that he did not provide the patrol car that was used to commit the July 2012 robbery.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division.   The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Heidi Boutros Gesch and Marquest J. Meeks of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mariana Bauza of the District of Puerto Rico.

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Mayor arrested for corruption Rio Grande

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:57 PM

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Eduard Rivera Correa received money in exchange for giving contracts. Video

By Mariana Cobian, Ivelisse Rivera, Brunymarie Velázquez, Dalissa Zeda, Sandra and Javier Colon Caquías

The popular mayor of Rio Grande, Eduard Rivera Correa was arrested this morning after federal prosecutors issued an indictment for public corruption scheme that took place between February 2010 and 2012. 

The chief federal prosecutor in Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodriguez revealed at a press conference that one of the charges to extort official contractor by requiring thousands of dollars in various instances to change to continue doing business with the municipality accused Rio Grande.

Also, the mayor is accused of obstructing justice by threatening that person, identified as "Contractor A" in the indictment. According to Rodriguez, these threats were contained in recorded conversations.

Mayor arrested for corruption of Rio Grande

The popular mayor of Rio Grande, Eduard Rivera Correa, was arrested by the FBI on corruption charges.

The scheme is also involved corruption lawyer Alejandro Carrasco, who allegedly supplied legal services to several municipalities, such as Rio Grande, Juncos, Barceloneta and Manatee. A Carrasco is accused of applying payments to "Building A" repeatedly to influence business it did with other peoples.

According to prosecutors, payments of "Building A" mayor accused were more than $ 37,000 and attorney Carrasco, more than $ 183,000.

"Importantly, according to our research, there is no evidence involving the mayor of Juncos in the scheme," said Emilia Rodríguez.

"This officer betrayed the trust of the citizens of Rio Grande do not deserve a dishonest mayor," Rodriguez said. 

The mayor received funds between February 2009 and 2012, according to authorities. 

Carlos Cases, director of the FBI in Puerto Rico, a mayor lamented that with much experience have to fall into this kind of accusations. 

"Corruption at all levels in Puerto Rico is contstante despite all the research we've done," said Cases. 

Rivera Correa launched mayor of Rio Grande in 2004. This is exposed to 10 years in prison and a fine, according to Rodriguez who added that prompted the mayor is detained without bail. 

The mayor worked for 26 years in the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico as audit supervisor, director of the Division of Audits of Municipalities and consortia, government officials and adviser deputy comptroller. He later served as assistant manager of the Corporation of the State Insurance Fund.

Talk PPD

The secretary general of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jorge Suarez said written statements by the mayor was immediately suspended from all positions occupied in the PPD.

"Faced with accusations federally released today, on instructions from the President of the Partido Popular Mayor of Rio Grande, Eduard Rivera Correa, is summarily suspended from all positions within the Democratic Party according to Article 187 of Regulation the community. " Mayor was president of the Municipal Committee of Rio Grande, a member of the Governing Board representing District Carolina and member of the General Council and the General Assembly of the PPD. Luis Suárez appointed Senator Daniel Rivera as a presidential delegate Filomeno Rio Grande, a post he held in 2002.

Surprised counterparts

The popular mayor of Isabela, Carlos Delgado Altieri said he was "shocked" by the arrest of the mayor of Rio Grande and president of the Governing Board of Revenue Collection Center Municpales (CRIM), Eduard Rivera Correa.

"I'm shocked. It's something you do not expect, "Delgado said Altieri, who acknowledged that the arrest of one of the members of his party" does not cease to be a hit in political terms because we know that the opposition will use this to make their arguments. "

Another popular mayor reacted surprised with the arrest of Rivera Correa was San Germán, Isidro Negrón. "It's something that I can not believe. I consider my friend, "he said.

"Give space to defend himself. It's something we really so surprised about. I wish you well. I hope this is a mistake, but if you have to answer some unfortunate "he said.

Similarly, the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, lamented the arrest of its counterpart. "Every time someone in the public service and arrested accused of an act of corruption have the feeling the country losing a little faith in their institutions."

"He is starting a process to the mayor Rio Grande and in this country there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. My hope for your family is peace and serenity at this time," he added.

Signs comptroller

In the final report for the 2008-2010 audit and published in March 2014 by the Office of the Comptroller, a budget deficit noted in operational funds and overdraft lines on Rio Grande.

Review as a finding also purchase goods and services without the quotes or proposals required; Quotes whose authenticity could not be confirmed and other processed without complying with the requirements of law; and other deficiencies related purchases.

As a third indication of the Comptroller payments of fines and interest on late remit withholdings and contributions to a state agency and the Federal Social Insurance found.

He also pointed to the lack of follow up on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Internal Audit Unit of the Municipality by the Audit Committee on Affairs of the Municipal Legislature.

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FBI arrests by state police corruption case

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:53 PM

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By Maribel Hernández Pérez, Mariana By Cobián 07.10.2014 | 10:19 a.m.

A police officer Assigned to the Division of Highways Area This Morning Carolina was arrested by agents of the Strike Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at his residence in urbanization Jardines de Country Club in Carolina, as part of an investigation related corruption to the operational "cantazo Blue", que was held on 22 May.

When police Mir Alexander Hernandez, 40, was stripped of his gun regulation and identification as police officer, confirmed the Superintendent of Police, José L. López Cauldron.

Additionally, arrested David Figueroa Rodriguez, who posed as police to commit crimes.

Mir Hernandez, faces charges of conspiracy, violation of civil rights and using a firearm to commit acts of violence.

The agent will be summarily suspended the Uniformed Lopez added Cauldron. "He was arrested by police corruption and the investigation Continues," said the official.

The officer arrested Also worked in the Division of Drug and wore Airport just four months Assigned to the Division of Highways.

In May, 16 policemen Were arrested after a federal grand jury issued an indictment of 36 charges for Violations of the Hobbs Act by extortion and theft, and charges related to the RICO statute, racketeering, conspiracy to violate civil rights and gun laws.

Today's arrests are related to the case filed against Sergeant Jorge "Aro" Fernández Avilés, Unit Stolen Vehicles Transit Division from Bayamón, who was arrested in late June.

In the motion submitted tax Marquest J. Meeks, Division of Public Integrity in Washington DC, for the hearing of bail Fernández Avilés, Indicated That this constitutes a flight risk and danger to the community, so be That He Opposed Granted bail. 've stressed That the officer abused his position and the trust Placed in him to "violate the equal rights promised to protect" to conspiring With Other officers and three Civilians cash to rob a residence and a fourth of a kilogram of cocaine, while using a gun. The accused received pay for the resale of stolen cocaine.

Meeks then Noted That although Fernández Avilés has no prior criminal history, the burden of proof is overwhelming, including two cooperating witnesses, the testimony of the victims and a recording of the talk today Accused of theft and other crimes: such as kidnapping and death taken by an undercover agent.

If Convicted, Fernández Avilés faces a sentence that Could range from five years in jail to life imprisonment.

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Ex US navy base has become a ghost town by Telegraph Staff

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:33 PM

Puerto Rico Latest And Breaking National News And Regional News From Puerto Rico

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An ex US navy base in Puerto Rico is open for redevelopment ideas, it now stands a ghost town since the US military pulled ten years ago

Puerto Rico Makes Plans to Become Silicon Island - Baseline

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:31 PM

Puerto Rico - Google News

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Puerto Rico probes millions of dollars in overtime - Yahoo News

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:31 PM

Puerto Rico - Google News

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Puerto Rico probes millions of dollars in overtime Yahoo News SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Legislators in Puerto Rico have launched an investigation into the payment of millions of dollars for overtime in government agencies, the island's Senate announced Wednesday. Senate President Eduardo Bhatia said ...

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Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:27 PM

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Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:27 PM

Puerto Rico - Google News

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FBI arrests Puerto Rico mayor accused of bribery - Yahoo News

Thursday July 10th, 2014 at 4:26 PM

Puerto Rico - Google News

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FBI arrests Puerto Rico mayor accused of bribery Yahoo News SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — FBI agents have arrested a mayor in Puerto Rico on charges of bribery, extortion and obstruction of justice. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday Eduard Rivera Correa accepted more than $39,000 in kickbacks from a ...