Before God, We Are All Family - video by Human Rights Campaign

Published on Sep 9, 2013

Before God captures the lives of five families and their journeys across the rocky road of reconciling faith, sexuality, gender identity, ethnicity and familia in the current social climate which insists these are un-reconcilable.
Funder: Thomas A. Plein Foundation

Human Rights Campaign To Release Film On Latino Families Of Faith And LGBT Issues (VIDEO)

LGBT Weekly:

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, has announced the premiere of the film Before God: We Are All Family Oct. 1 at the GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington, D.C.  The film tells the story of five religious Latino families who have lived with the sting of repressive church teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity.

“This short documentary is a story of reconciliation and will be meaningful for anyone who has longed to find a way to bring together who they are, whom they love and what they believe,” said Dr. Sharon Groves, director of the HRC Religion and Faith Program.

“Familia – family – is at the center of the intersection of faith, sexuality and culture for Latinos.  This film brings these worlds together in ways we have not seen before,” said Lisbeth Melendez Rivera, national coordinator for A la Familia, a project under HRC’s Religion and Faith Program.

Read the whole story at LGBT Weekly

Before God, We Are All Family

 Human Rights Campaign·

Director FBI habla sobre grupo investigador de rama judicial - El Vocero de PR - Published on Aug 29, 2013

Published on Aug 29, 2013

Carlos Cases, director del FBI de Puerto Rico e Islas Vírgenes brinda detalles sobre el grupo que estará a cargo de investigar la rama judicial a partir del 1ro de octubre de 2013.

Director FBI habla sobre grupo investigador de rama judicial

 El Vocero de PR·

Published on Sep 8, 2013

Protestan veteranos desde El Capitolio de Puerto Rico. Decenas de veteranos marcharon desde El Capitolio hasta La Fortaleza el 6 Septiembre 2013, reprochando la administración politiquera del gobernador Alejandro García Padilla, y denunciaron que se les está faltando el respeto.

» Veteranos marchan contra Gobierno por menospreciarlos y no respetar reclamos - EFE
06/09/13 21:00 from alejandro garcia padilla efe - Google News
EFEVeteranos marchan contra Gobierno por menospreciarlos y no respetar reclamosEFESan Juan, 6 sep (EFE).- Medio centenar de veteranos de guerra marcharon hoy por San Juan en protesta contra el gobernador de Puerto Rico, Alejandro García ...

Veteranos Protestan Contra Garcia Padilla

 Luis Anthony·

Puerto Rico leaders speak in U.S. Senate on referendum, island’s political future - 08/01/2013

Puerto Rico leaders speak in U.S. Senate on referendum, island’s political future

 by Brian Latimer, @brainlatimer 

12:23 pm on 08/01/2013

The leaders of Puerto Rico’s top three political parties spoke in front of a Senate panel to discuss their voters’ preferences on statehood, commonwealth or independence for the island.

The meeting with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was a direct result of a plebiscite held in November 2012 regarding the current status of Puerto Rico. Voters were asked two questions: the first asked if people favored the current status as a commonwealth or not, and the second listed the alternatives. The status options included becoming a state, and total independence. The White House, however, said the vote was unclear because 466,000 people did not specify a preference on an alternative status, primarily because the current commonwealth option was left out.

Alejandro García-Padilla, the governor of Puerto Rico and a leader in the Popular Democratic Party, supports an augmented version of the island’s current commonwealth status.

The governor argued people did not support the enhanced commonwealth proposition because it was not explicitly listed on the ballot in November. He did not elaborate on the definition of said status after Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Murkowski, and Sen. Martin Henrich all asked him to explain how that system would operate. At the hearing, several senators questioned whether an enhanced commonwealth would give Puerto Rico the right to ignore certain federal laws.

“No one is trying to mislead you if they tell you we want to pick [laws] — the commonwealth option needs to be on the ballot and address the issue of a non-state jurisdiction,” Governor García-Padilla said.

Pedro R. Pierluisi, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico and President of the New Progressive Party, which advocates statehood, says Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and deserve—and have demanded—a “democratic and dignified status in Congress.”  Pierluisi said any Commonwealth option should be excluded from future discussions.

“You cannot solve the problem of our status by including the very option rejected by our people,” Commissioner Pierluisi said. “… People were asked if they want Puerto Rico to have current status and responsed resoundingly, ‘NO.’ The options should only be statehood, free association, and independence.”

Rubén Berríos, the president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party, says although a majority of Puerto Ricans favored statehood, those who advocated for independence should still have their voices heard. He says a decision on Puerto Rico’s status should be made soon because people have been fighting for a change for decades.

“Inevitably, in any case, Congress will have to face its responsibility and make real determination possible,” he says. “Such demands an informed choice to our inalienable right to independence for our own nationality.”

He also called out Governor Padilla at the end of the meeting, saying his option cannot work for Puerto Rico.

“Mr. Chairman, nobody knows what Enhanced Commonwealth means,” he started. “They’ve been trying to define it for half a century. It is judicial hocus pocus.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski, the only senator born in a previous territory—Alaska— said now that a majority of Puerto Ricans have voted against the current commonwealth status, they must decide on whether or not the territory becomes a state or gains independence.

“It’s long been my position that the process for determining Puerto Rico’s preferred political status should come from Puerto Rico and not D.C.,” Murkowski says. “Just as the residents of Alaska and Hawaii did — as the last two states admitted to the union. It appears to me that a majority in Puerto Rico do not favor the current status.”

A view of the Puerto Rican Capitol building. Photo/AP Images

A Presidential Status Plebiscite for Puerto Rico?

by LD Guest Blogger Charles R. Venator-Santiago on 07/23/2013

On July 17, 2013 the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2014 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, which included a request by President Barack H. Obama to fund a voter education drive enabling a status plebiscite for Puerto Rico. This measure dismisses several initiatives by Puerto Rican political parties and potentially makes the resolution of the island’s political status a matter of civil rights.

As I have noted on several past postings, the United States annexed Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and promptly ascribed it an unincorporated territorial status, a new territorial status invented to rule territories not destined to become states of the Union. Congress has not changed the constitutional status of Puerto Rico since 1898. Puerto Rico has remained an unincorporated territory for 115 years.

Notwithstanding, since 1900 both the Federal and the Puerto Rican legislatures have debated legislation and enacted laws providing for a change in the island’s constitutional status. Since 1900, Congress has debated upwards of 114 and the Puerto Rican legislature more than 100 (I am still counting) status bills. In 1967, Congress authorized the first and only status plebiscite granting Puerto Ricans an opportunity to choose among three status options, statehood, independence and the Commonwealth/unincorporated territorial status. The Puerto Rican legislature authorized three status plebiscites in 1993, 1998, and 2012. In every instance the pro-statehood party has held control of the office of the Governor and the Puerto Rican legislature. 

As I discussed in a previous posting, both the language and counting of votes of the 2012 Plebiscite on Puerto Rico’s Political Status led to contentious interpretations. Critics argued that the two-part plebiscite was designed to limit the ability of Puerto Rican voters to choose the Commonwealth option, the prevailing status choice of the Puerto Rican electorate. In addition, the Puerto Rican government did not count blank ballots, which under Puerto Rican electoral law represent a legitimate form of electoral protest. Pro-statehood advocates argued that the Statehood option garnered a majority of votes (61%) in the 2012 plebiscite. Everyone else noted that when counting blank or protest ballots, the Statehood option garnered a mere 45% of the ballot, a percentage consistent with the outcomes of all prior status plebiscites (both Federal and local).

Notwithstanding statements by the White House suggesting that President Obama would recognize the outcome of the 2012 plebiscite, the President’s Budget of the U.S. Government for the Fiscal-Year 2014 contained a request to fund a Puerto Rican plebiscite. More specifically, the President’s 2014 budget requested “$2,500,000 for objective, nonpartisan voter education about, and a plebiscite on, options that would resolve Puerto Rico’s future political status, which shall be provided to the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico” (Appendix, DOJ 2014: 735). In other words, the ensuing funding would be allocated to the U.S. Department of Justice, which would in turn grant it to the State Elections Commission for the development of a voter education campaign (about the status options) and an ensuing plebiscite.

On May 15, 2013 Puerto Rican Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, a member of the Puerto Rican pro-statehood PNP and also a conservative member of the Democratic Party, introduced the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act (H.R. 2000). The purpose of the Act is to “provide for a federally authorized ratification vote” or referendum on pro-statehood interpretation of the results for the 2012 plebiscite.

The ongoing legislative debates raise four important issues. First, President Obama’s request to fund a federal plebiscite for Puerto Rico sends a clear message that he does not recognize the outcome of the 2012 plebiscite (and by extension H.R. 2000). This position is consistent with earlier statements by President Obama indicating that he would only support an outcome that reflected a substantive majority of the vote (presumably at least a two-thirds majority). Ironically, Resident Commissioner Pierluisi is on record stating that his bill is not incompatible with the President’s plebiscite.

Second, the President’s initiative also rejects the proposal by Puerto Rican Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla to hold a local constitutional convention and an ensuing referendum on the status question. In the latter case, Puerto Rican political parties would assume a central role in drafting a law that could resolve Puerto Rico’s status question and the local electorate would merely vote to ratify or reject the proposal. Governor Garcia Padilla, however, is on record supporting President Obama’s plebiscite.

Third, the President’s plebiscite potentially circumvents Congress. The power to conduct a status plebiscite is inherent to Congress’ powers under Article 4, Section 3, which establishes that Congress has the power to administer territories (clause 2) and to admit new states (clause 1). To this extent Congress is responsible for enacting legislation authorizing a plebiscite on the status of Puerto Rico. Notwithstanding, the House Appropriations Committee recently approved the President’s request for funding. Whether Congress will approve this budget is another matter.

In my opinion a fourth, and perhaps more interesting implication, is that the President’s proposal links the status plebiscite to the Department of Justice’s voter education mandates. To this extent, it is possible to argue that the President’s plebiscite opens a backdoor to the courts by making the status plebiscite a voting rights or civil rights issue. This latter interpretation raises other constitutional questions, but these are beyond the scope of this blog at this time.

Charles R. Venator-Santiago is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Institute for Latino/a, Caribbean and Latin American Studies at the University of Connecticut

The commentary of this article reflects the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Latino Decisions. Latino Decisions and Pacific Market Research, LLC make no representations about the accuracy of the content of the article.

Hearing on Puerto Rico's Political Status - August 1, 2013 - Videos

1.  4:23

   Wyden Opening Remarks In Hearing on Puerto Rico's Political Status

   • by SenateEnergy
   • 1 month ago
   • 1,086 views

   August 1, 2013- Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) gives opening remarks at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources ...

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2.  14:02

   Wyden Q&A with Witnesses in Hearing on Puerto Rico's Political Status

   • by SenateEnergy
   • 1 month ago
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   August 1, 2013- Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) questions witnesses at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ...

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3.  10:23

   AGP en Ingles ¿ELA Mejorado? Enhanced Commonwealth?

   • by Luis Anthony
   • 1 month ago
   • 53,513 views

   August 1, 2013 - El gobernador de Puerto Rico Alejandro García Padilla no pudo explicar el supuesto "ELA Mejorado" en su ...

   • HD

   
   

News Review: Analysis: Puerto Rico's population drops as economy wobbles - Reuters | US Justice Dept. Refers Lobbying Against Plebiscite Complaint to FBI - Puerto Rico Report | Five Puerto Rico Police Department Officers Indicted on Federal Civil Rights, Obstruction of Justice, and Perjury Charges - FBI

(Reuters) - For generations, Puerto Ricans have been migrating to the mainland United States in search of a better life. But the Caribbean island's long recession has turned a steady flow into a torrent, stripping the territory of its young and educated population and pushing its economy into a deeper rut.

The effects are evident in the capital city of San Juan, where vacant offices dot its Golden Mile banking strip and blocks of empty condominiums have become eyesores marring its tropical beach front.

As U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans are free to move to the mainland without legal restrictions, an option that tens of thousands of people - many of them young and well-educated - are now choosing.

In 2011 alone, the island lost a net 54,000 people, or nearly 1.5 percent of its population, as theeconomy weathered a sixth year of a recession that only ended in 2012.

"This is a worrisome picture for Puerto Rico," said Deepak Lamba-Nieves, research director at San Juan's Center for the New Economy think tank, who added that Puerto Rico's economy has shrunk by nearly 14 percent since 2006, and its labor force participation is among the lowest in the world.

Some economists estimate the outward flow has reduced the island's gross domestic product, now at $101 billion a year, by some $3 billion in the last decade, in part because of an increase in skilled Puerto Ricans leaving the island.

Its unemployment rate is worse than any U.S. state at 13.5 percent, U.S. Department of Labor data shows, and it's been stuck at 10 percent or higher for at least a decade.

"And you have all these other problems like crime," Lamba-Nieves said, "you are bound to see people looking for opportunities elsewhere."

GRAYING OF SOCIETY

Maria Luisa Monserrate can't put her finger on a single reason for her decision to leave the island for a new life on the mainland with her teenage son and toddler daughter.

"Long term, I know the job market is pretty hard," said the 35-year-old single mother, who is preparing to leave her job as an organizational development trainer and join a brother and sister settled in Minneapolis.

"The public safety issue is a big factor. I always have to look over my shoulder," she said. "There are better educational opportunities than I can afford here."

The island's murder rate runs six times that of the mainland, according to Michigan State University. Much of the violence is tied to illegal drug-trafficking, and Police Superintendent Hector Pesquera has said that the level of violence in Puerto Rico would spark an emergency declaration if it occurred elsewhere in the United States.

Statistics suggest young professionals are leaving the island in droves. The number of doctors and teachers getting on planes quadrupled in 2011, according a study entitled "Profile of the Migrant" by Puerto Rico's Institute of Statistics. At the same time, the median age of returnees is steadily rising.

"The graying of society occurs at an alarming rate in Puerto Rico," said Vincente Feliciano, an economist at Advantage Business Consulting. "The migration is up and down the socioeconomic scales, from neurosurgeons to house maids. The constant is that the migrants tend to be younger."

Puerto Rico's 1,500 public schools expect 415,000 to 420,000 children to enroll this school year, down from 441,000 students last year and more than 500,000 a decade ago, in part because birth rates are declining.

Puerto Rico's brain drain and its shrinking population have become fodder for headlines on the island.

Recent news that the family of a child actor featured in an economic development ad had moved to Florida brought an ironic twist to the worrisome trend. (Link by PRNL)

The family later said the move is not permanent because the father, an engineer, has a temporary employment contract in Florida and keeps his home on the island.

SHRINKING CONSUMPTION

The migratory wave shows few signs of letting up, with the U.S. Census Bureau projecting the population will drop to 2.3 million in 2050, compared with 3.7 million at present.

The 4.9 million Puerto Ricans living in the continental United States as of 2011 outnumbered those on the island by more than 1 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The effects are showing up in a wide range of statistics, including construction, housing, school enrollments and retail sales, according to economists and government data.

Government officials last month reported that sales-and-use taxes, generated largely by consumers, shrank to $553 million in fiscal 2013, down from $797 million five years earlier.

Sales of gasoline, electricity and cement dropped in July from a year earlier, according to government data released August 30. Non-farm payroll employment that month dropped 3.7 percent to 889,400 from a year earlier, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said.

To be sure, funds sent home by more emigrants might help support the Puerto Rico's wobbly economy. But data on remittances by Puerto Ricans is not made available by the World Bank, which provides numbers for other countries. Local studies, however, have shown Puerto Ricans tend to send relatively low remittances back home, compared with emigrants from other countries in the region.

Regardless, depopulation has made it more difficult for the territory to reverse its economic decline and pay off debts of about $70 billion, which are far higher on a per capita basis than any mainland state government.

It is a situation that echoes the economic troubles that caused the financial crises of Detroit and Stockton, California, though, unlike those jurisdictions, Puerto Rico is ineligible for Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy protection because any debt overhaul would have to be treated as a foreign obligation, analysts say.

Still, the outflow has stirred fears in the U.S. municipal bond market that a smaller, more impoverished population will have to repay Puerto Rico's massive debt. Reflecting the perceived risk, the island pays interest rates far higher than any state government. Yields of some Puerto Rico bonds spiked above 10 percent on Monday.

"We are seeing occur what occurred in Detroit. But it is not as severe a case as Detroit," said Dan Heckman, fixed income strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management.

(Writing and reporting By Michael Connor in Miami; Additional reporting by a Reuters correspondent in San Juan; Editing by Tiziana Barghini and Tim Dobbyn)

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García Padilla defiende orden ejecutiva para retener a Héctor Pesquera

3 de septiembre de 2013

El gobernador dijo que la creación del puesto que ocupa Pesquera en la Policía es el mecanismo "más seguro en términos jurídicos" para retener al funcionario

» Puerto Rico Debt Prices Slump Anew - Wall Street Journal
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06/09/13 10:01 from puerto rico economy - Google Blog Search
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By CB Online Staff

cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com; cbprdigital@gmail.com

Prosecutors say two doctors and 10 current and former U.S. Postal Service employees in Puerto Rico have been indicted in a $620,000 federal fraud case.

U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez said the suspects are accused of submitting fake claims to obtain workers compensation benefits.

She said Thursday that the doctors would charge as much as $1,650 to prepare the fraudulent reports.

One of the doctors arrested is Alfonso Madrid, a well-known psychiatrist and local media personality. Calls to his office went unanswered on Thursday.

A federal grand jury indicted the suspects following a two-year investigation into the case.

“The Department of Justice is strongly committed to promoting compliance with federal program laws and regulations,” said Rodríguez. “These arrests demonstrate that we will not tolerate criminals who engage in fraudulent schemes which deplete funds of federal benefit programs which are destined for disabled individuals who really need and are entitled to them. We will continue to vigorously pursue this systemic problem.”

The fraud targeted U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), which provides wage loss and medical benefits to employees who have become injured in the course of their official capacity within the USPS and are unable to work due to disability.

A two year investigation led by the USPS-Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from the FBI, Social Security Administration-OIG, Health and Human Services-OIG, DOL-OIG, and the Puerto Rico Police Department, targeted fraud associated with OWCP claims.

Postal Service employees are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which provides tax-free benefits to civilian federal employees who sustain injuries or an occupational disease as a result of their employment. Postal employees can receive up to 75 percent if there is at least one dependent. The Postal Service is the largest FECA participant, paying more than $1 billion in benefits and $60 million in administrative fees annually.

Pursuant to OWCP guidelines, a claimant must prove that he or she is disabled by furnishing medical documentation and other evidence with their work related claim. The employee’s claim and supporting medical evidence is then evaluated by the OWCP to determine the claimant’s medical impairments and the effect of the impairment on the claimant’s ability to work on a sustained basis.

The investigation initially focused on Faura-Clavell and the medical documentation he completed to support the permanent disability of USPS claimants. Subsequently, the investigation revealed that Faura-Clavell and Madrid-Guzmán would evaluate and diagnose the claimants in an effort to justify a non-existent injury in order to deceive and persuade the OWCP to award the claimants with workers compensation benefits. The doctors would charge fees ranging up to $1,650 for the preparation of the fraudulent medical reports.

During the investigation, additional evidence revealed six of the 10 aforementioned OWCP claimants also fraudulently received Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The defendants who illegally received the workers’ compensation benefits are: Bernardo Brito-Franco; Rodolfo Vázquez-Soto; Félix Ortiz-Vázquez; Miguel Plaza-Nieves; Wilma T. Fontán; Moisés Rivera-Aponte; Samuel Badillo-Muñiz; Ricardo Rivera-Ortiz; Rafael Espinet-García; and Lydia Rivera-Rodríguez. All the defendants are facing forfeiture allegations totaling more than $620,000. Brito-Franco is also charged with health care fraud.

5 de septiembre de 2013

Arrestan al siquiatra Alfonso Madrid por fraude federal

Un pastor, un fisiatra y empleados postales entre los implicados

Autoridades diligenciaron 12 órdenes de arresto hoy temprano. Madrid figura entre los detenidos. (Archivo)

Por Mariana Cobián / mariana.cobian@gfrmedia.com

Los médicos acusados por fraude contra la Oficina de Compensación a Trabajadores por Incapacidad Ocupacional (OWCP, por sus siglas en inglés) hicieron alegación de no culpabilidad esta tarde.

El siquiatra Alfonso Alberto Madrid Guzmán, de 59 años, se declaró no culpable por tres cargos que pesan en su contra, según le leyó el magistrado federal Marcos E. López.

El pliego acusatorio contra el reconocido siquiatra consta de tres cargos porque "a sabiendas e intencionalmente, emitió un informe médico al Departamento del Trabajo de Estados Unidos falso y fraudulento" relacionado a un supuesto paciente al que le diagnosticó ansiedad, insomnio, concentración pobre, tristeza, aislamiento y depresión severa, lo que era falso. El supuesto paciente era un agente encubierto. Los cargos son referente a las fechas del 27 de febrero, 27 de marzo y 24 de julio pasado.

El magistrado le advirtió que de ser encontrado culpable, se expone a un término de prisión no mayor a cinco años y tres años de libertad supervisada.

A través de su abogado Juan Matos de Juan, Madrid Guzmán hizo alegación de no culpabilidad y se le impuso una fianza de $50,000, de los cuales deberá prestar $25,000 en un término de dos semanas.

El fisiatra Luis Enrique Faura Clavell, de 59 años, también se declaró no culpable por 10 cargos que pesan en su contra en dos pliegos acusatorios. Los mismos son relacionados a tres "pacientes" a los que les hizo diagnósticos falsos y radicó informes médicos fraudulentos al OWCP. Se alega que el 28 de febrero y el 26 de marzo pasado le dijo a uno de los "pacientes" que sufría de fatiga, debilidad y condición en la muñeca izquierda, y que no iba a mejorar. A otro "paciente" lo atendió el 10 de junio, el 25 de junio y el 6 de agosto pasado, diagnosticándole problemas en su hombro izquierdo y dificultad para doblarse y arrodillarse.

En el otro pliego acusatorio, se le imputaron otros tres cargos por otro agente que se hizo pasar como paciente y al que atendió el 24 de enero y 10 de agosto de 2012, así como el 28 de febrero de 2013, por supuestamente sufrir condición crónica cervical y en la espalda, y lo refirió a Madrid Guzmán por supuesta depresión y ansiedad.

Más arrestos por fraude a nivel federal

• 
  

Dos doctores y diez empleados del Servicio Postal fueron acusados de fraude contra la Oficina de Compensación a Trabajadores por Incapacidad Ocupacional

El décimo cargo en su contra es por intentar llevar a cabo un esquema para defraudar al plan médico Triple S por cobrar visitas médicas que no se llevaron a cabo. Por este cargo, podría cumplir hasta 10 años de cárcel.

Faura Clavell también salió libre hoy jueves tras López concederle una fianza de $50,000, de la cual deberá prestar la mitad en dos semanas.

Los demás acusados fueron 10 empleados del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos que reclamaron dinero al programa OWCP alegando que sufrieron alguna lesión y no podían laborar, recibiendo 75% de su salario y algunos llevan 10 años recibiendo dicho beneficio, por lo que en total recibieron $3.5 millones.

La jefa de fiscalía federal, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez, informó que los empleados se enteraban del acto por "word of mouth" o de boca en boca, e iban a donde Faura Clavell, quien al decirle que trabajaban en dicha agencia federal, ya sabía para lo que iban y les diagnosticaba alguna dolencia ficticia. Indicaron que tienen grabaciones del fisiatra enseñándoles a los "pacientes" cómo debían fingir las dolencias, y los refería a Madrid Guzmán para que le diera más credibilidad al diagnóstico, alegando que también tenían alguna condición de salud mental.

Los médicos recibían entre $150 y $1,000 por cada informe y certificación médica.

Entre los empleados postales está el pastor Bernardo Brito Franco, de la Iglesia Cristiana Abrazando el Pacto de Jehová Inc. Casa de Restauración en Levittown, en Toa Baja, quien compareció en sala en pijama roja con pantalón negro y puntos rojos, y enfrenta nueve cargos por robo de propiedad del gobierno, declaraciones falsas, fraude médico, representación falsa al Seguro Social y esconder información al Seguro Social.

El director del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés), Carlos Cases, mostró una foto de Brito Franco buceando. Indicó que el hombre alegaba que sufría de la pierna izquierda, rodilla y espalda, que no podía levantar más de cinco libras y que necesitaba bastón para caminar. Sin embargo fue grabado mientras buceaba y bailaba merengue en un crucero recientemente.

"El acusado Brito Franco se fue de crucero, bailó merengue y buceó, entre otras actividades físicas. Sin embargo, en los formularios de OWCP y del Seguro Social alegaba que no podía llevar a cabo ningún tipo de actividad física. Brito Franco alegó que contrató servicios para que le limpiaran la casa, que no podía bucear, no podía caminar largas distancias, no podía levantar objetos, ni levantar sus brazos, entre otras. Enfrenta una alegación de confiscación de más de $86,000", planteó Rodríguez.

A Brito Franco se le impuso una fianza de $25,000 asegurados y deberá prestarla en dos semanas. Se le impuso una fianza mayor que a otros coacusados porque el fiscal Wallace Bustelo informó que tenía pasaporte vigente (por lo que podría representar riesgo de fuga), tiene una hija que vive en Francia y hace poco viajó a Israel y en crucero, hechos que no dijo a la oficial probatoria.

La lectura de acusación contra los empleados se citó para el 17 de septiembre a las 10:30 a.m. A los demás empleados acusados se les impuso una fianza de $5,000 a cada uno no asegurados.

Otro de los arrestados, Samuel Badillo Muñiz, fue captado con una cuellera en una cita médica, y quitándosela al salir de la oficina del médico, y cargando equipo pesado poco después. Trabajaba en una compañía de instalación y reparación de aires acondicionados. En los vídeos, se le observa levantando objetos pesados.

Los demás acusados son Rodolfo Vázquez Soto, Félix Ortiz Vázquez, Miguel Plaza Nieves, Wilma T. Fontán, Moisés Rivera Aponte, Ricardo Rivera Ortiz, Rafael Espinet García y Lydia Rivera Rodríguez.

"Fueron empleados dispuestos a mentir y a robar hasta 75 por ciento de su salario libres de impuestos. A estos empleados postales no les importa que el Servicio Postal pagara $1.3 billones por compensación laboral. Les gusta vivir del cuento, pero eso termina hoy", manifestó el agente especial del Servicio Postal, Rafael Medina.

El superintendente de la Policía, Héctor Pesquera, catalogó la acción de los acusados como "avaricia que será recompensada por una larga estadía en una institución federal". Recordó que de ser encontrados culpables, se enfrentan a hasta cinco años de cárcel.

"El pasado 21 de agosto de 2013 llevamos a cabo el primer operativo sobre fraude del Seguro Social. Dos semanas después, estamos ejecutando un segundo operativo sobre fraude a este componente federal. La investigación continúa, pueden estar seguros de eso", agregó Rodríguez.

 Los arrestos y órdenes de allanamiento se llevaron a cabo en la mañana del jueves en los pueblos de San Juan, Guaynabo, Bayamón, Dorado, Toa Baja, Caguas, Gurabo y Moca por agentes de las Oficinas de los Inspectores Generales del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos, del Departamento del Trabajo federal, del Seguro Social, del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Estados Unidos, del FBI y de la Policía de Puerto Rico.

Los fiscales del caso son María Domínguez y Bustelo.

Para cooperar con la pesquisa, se invita a la ciudadanía a llamar al 1-888-771-9060.


9.9.13

Epidemia de fraude a programas federales 

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Fiscalía federal dice que solo se ha visto “el tope” del problema y adelanta que vienen más arrestos

Es un problema de valores y creo que ven a otros haciéndolo con impunidad y piensan que no los van a coger nunca”
MARÍA DOMÍNGUEZ subdirectora de la Fiscalía federal

LA FISCALÍA federal busca ponerle coto a la epidemia de fraude que ataca a los programas federales que otorgan beneficios por incapacidad en Puerto Rico, un mal causado, en parte, porque operan como una especie de sistema de honor que no presume intención delictiva de parte del solicitante.

HUBO fisiatras y siquiatras entre los detenidos en agosto de 2013 por presuntamente defraudar al Seguro Social.

Esta epidemia -que se ha encontrado también en otros servicios federales- se traduce en pérdidas multimillonarias para las arcas federales, que afectan los servicios destinados a las personas realmente necesitadas, y la reputación de la Isla ante los que reparten los fondos federales en Estados Unidos.

Por ende, se prevé que haya acusaciones federales adicionales a las que recientemente han mantenido ocupadas a las autoridades y acaparado la atención pública. “ES SÓLO EL TOPE”

“La investigación continúa y se van a sacar casos periódicamente. Van a ser acusados más médicos, posiblemente algunos abogados y más beneficiarios”, expresó, entrevista con El Nuevo Día, la subdirectora de la Fiscalía federal en Puerto Rico, María Domínguez, quien tiene a su cargo el caso de los 75 acusados de defraudar al Seguro Social para cobrar beneficios de incapacidad, radicado el 21 de agosto pasado.

“Estos fraudes llevan mucho tiempo ocurriendo y esto es solamente el tope de lo que hay”, agregó la funcionaria federal.

La magnitud de ese caso es tal, que el agente especial a cargo de la Región 2 que cubre a Nueva York y Puerto Rico para la Oficina del Inspector General de la Administración del Seguro Social, Edward Ryan, indicó hace dos semanas que ha llevado a la agencia a tomar medidas y modificar procedimientos para prevenir el fraude en los reclamos de incapacidad al Seguro Social en todo Estados Unidos, apunto la fiscal.

En el caso de los 75 acusados recientemente por fraude al Seguro Social, los investigadores calcularon que si los imputados hubieran seguido cobrando los beneficios por incapacidad hasta llegar todos a la edad del retiro, hubiesen devengado $30 millones en forma fraudulenta, indicó Domínguez. UN PROBLEMA DE VALORES

Los personas que incurren en este tipo de fraude “pueden ser nuestros vecinos, son personas normales... no tienen antecedentes penales”, expuso Domínguez, en referencia a los que buscan los beneficios ilegalmente. En los últimos dos casos de pensiones, el del Seguro Social y el del Departamento del Trabajo de Estados Unidos, nadie ha sido convicto aún, por lo que se mantiene su presunción de inocencia.

A juicio de la funcionaria federal, es fraude nace de una combinación de factores: hay gente a la que le gusta el dinero fácil y, como la situación de los trabajos está difícil, trata de justificarse con eso. Sin embargo, hay otros, ya entrados en edad que todavía se fajan trabajando.

“Es un problema de valores y creo que ven a otros haciéndolo con impunidad y piensan que no los van a coger nunca”, apuntó la fiscal.

A juicio de Domínguez, las agencias que dispensan estos beneficios, sean federales o estatales, son vulnerables a estos fraudes porque “son programas que se basan en la buena fe”.

“Usted va a solicitar incapacidad y la agencia no presume que es un fraude y procede de buena fe. Hasta cierto punto, es un sistema de honor porque los recursos son para facilitar y no para poner trabas, pero la gente comenzó a aprovecharse y las agencias han tenido que aumentar tomar medidas”, manifestó.

LAS CIFRAS CREARON SOSPECHA

El alerta sobre estas modalidades de fraude en Puerto Rico surgió por el alto número de reclamaciones y de aprobación de beneficios detectado existentes en la Isla en comparación a los estados y otros territorios, explicó la fiscal. De hecho, ya en 2011 el rotativo The

Wall Street Journal reportó que se investigaba este asunto en Puerto Rico porque nueve de las 10 áreas de código postal a las que el Seguro Social enviaba mayor cantidad de pagos por incapacidad en 2010 están ubicadas en la Isla.

Un análisis de El Nuevo Día, basado en las cifras oficiales de la Administración del Seguro Social, reflejó que en todo Estados Unidos por cada 35 retirados que reciben los beneficios de jubilación hay ocho que reciben pagos por incapacidad. La proporción es sustancialmente más alta en Puerto Rico, donde por cada 40 jubilados hay 17.7 que cobran beneficios de incapacidad. “No puede ser que la gente esté mas lesionada y enferma en Puerto Rico que en todos los estados” , declaró Domínguez.

DEFICIENTE LA LUPA AL PAN

Por su parte, la Administración de Desarrollo Socioeconómico de la Familia (Adef ) del Departamento de la Familia no tiene mecanismos adecuados para investigar el fraude en el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (PAN) que este año maneja $2,100 millones en fondos federales para 668,279 familias pobres en la Isla.

Así lo indicó la licenciada Magda Arana, quien desde febrero dirige la Oficina Legal de Adfan, responsable de investigar las querellas de fraudes contra comerciantes y beneficiarios del programa.

“Se investigan todas las querellas, pero la investigación no necesariamente es la adecuada”, admitió Arana.

Antes existía una plaza de técnico de reclamaciones “pero desapareció”. Y las investigaciones de querellas contra beneficiarios se les asignan como tarea secundaria a los mismos técnicos de asistencia social que atienden a los beneficiarios y que “no necesariamente le van a dedicar tanto a la tarea de investigar”, expuso la abogada.

En cambio, las pesquisas de fraude cometidos por comerciantes están a cargo de la Oficina de Certificación e Inspección de Negocios (OCIN), la cual está adscrita a la Oficina Legal. Pero, cuando la OCIN investiga a un comerciante porque le cobra una cuota a un beneficiario para cambiarle el 100% de su beneficio mensual a efectivo, no se investiga simultáneamente al beneficiario, admite Arana.

No obstante, la funcionaria sostuvo que ya remitió una propuesta al Food Nutrition Service (FNS) del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos, responsable del programa, para mejorar los procedimientos de investigación y adiestrar a personal específico para esa labor. “Ellos tienen interés y anticipamos que van a aprobar el plan”, dijo Aran. El fortalecimiento del área investigativa no requiere solicitar fondos federales para ese propósito, pero tiene que ser aprobado por esa agencia, a la cual Adsef, cuya administradora es Marta Elsa Fernández, le rinde informes.

Nosotros sabemos que tan pronto cambiemos la forma de atender querellas y procesar reclamaciones van a aumentar los casos”, señaló Arana. 

 

El director del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés), Carlos Cases

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The Epidemic Of Federal Fraud 

(Google Translation)

Federal prosecutor says only seen " the top " of the problem and coming forward more arrests

It is one of values ​​and I think they see others do so with impunity and think they are not going to catch ever "
MARY DOMINGUEZ deputy director of the federal Office
Federal PROSECUTION looking put a stop to the epidemic of fraud that attacks the federal programs provide disability benefits in Puerto Rico , an evil caused, in part , because they operate as a kind of honor system that assumes no criminal intent on the part of applicant.

THERE physiatrists and psychiatrists among those arrested in August 2013 for allegedly defrauding the Social Security .
This epidemic , which is also found in other federal - translates into multibillion-dollar losses for federal coffers that affect services for the truly needy , and the reputation of the Island before which federal funds distributed in the United States .
Therefore, it is expected that additional federal indictments have you kept busy recently and authorities captured public attention. 

" JUST THE TOP "

"The investigation continues and will take cases periodically. They'll be charged more doctors , lawyers and possibly some more beneficiaries , "he said , interview with El Nuevo Dia, the deputy director of the Puerto Rico federal prosecutor , Maria Dominguez , who is responsible for the 75 accused of defrauding the collect Social Security disability benefits , filed Aug. 21 .
" These frauds have long been happening and this is only the top of it there is," said the federal official .
The magnitude of this case is such that the special agent in charge of Region 2 which covers New York and Puerto Rico to the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration , Edward Ryan , said two weeks ago that led to the agency to take action and change procedures to prevent fraud in claims for Social Security disability across America , I point the prosecutor.
In the case of the 75 accused recently by Social Security fraud , the researchers calculated that if the defendants had continued to gain disability benefits until all at retirement age, had earned $ 30 million in fraudulently , said Dominguez . 

A PROBLEM OF VALUES

The people who engage in this type of fraud " may be our neighbors , they are normal people ... have no criminal record , " Dominguez explained , referring to those who seek the benefits illegally. In the last two cases of pensions, Social Security and the Department of Labor of the United States , no one has been convicted yet , so it remains his presumption of innocence .
According to the federal official , is fraud arises from a combination of factors : there are people who like easy money and , as the situation of the work is difficult, it is justified . However, there are others interviewed older fajan still working.
"It's one of values ​​and I think they see others do so with impunity and think they are not going to catch ever," said the prosecutor.
According to Dominguez , the agencies that dispense these benefits , whether federal or state , are vulnerable to these scams because they " are programs that are based on good faith " .
" You are going to request disability and the agency does not presumed to be a fraud and proceeds in good faith. To some extent , it is an honor system because resources are to facilitate and not to obstruct , but people began to take advantage and agencies have had to increase take action, " he said.
SUSPECT CREATED THE NUMBERS
The warning about these types of fraud in Puerto Rico came by the high number of claims and benefits approval of existing detected on the island compared to other states and territories , said the prosecutor. In fact, in 2011 the newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported that investigated this issue in Puerto Rico because 

nine of the 10 zip code areas to which Social Security would send as many disability payments in 2010 are located on the Island.

An analysis of the New Day, based on official figures from the Social Security Administration , showed that across the United States for every 35 retirees receiving retirement benefits are eight receiving disability payments . 

The proportion is substantially higher in Puerto Rico , where for every 40 retirees are charged 17.7 disability benefits. " It can not be that people are more injured and sick in Puerto Rico that in all states ," said Dominguez.

PICTURE THIS POOR TO PAN
For its part , the Administration of Socioeconomic Development of the Family ( Adef ) Department of Family does not have appropriate mechanisms to investigate fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( NAP ) which this year runs $ 2.100 million in federal funds to 668.279 poor families on the Island
So the lawyer said Magda Arana , who heads the Office since February ADFAN Legal , responsible for investigating complaints of fraud against traders and beneficiaries.
" We investigate all complaints , but research is not necessarily appropriate ," admitted Arana .
Before there was a technical Square claims " but disappeared." And the investigations of complaints against recipients are assigned as secondary task to the same social support technicians serving beneficiaries and that " not necessarily going to dedicate to the task of investigating ," explained the lawyer.
Instead, the investigation of fraud committed by dealers are handled by the Office of Certification and Inspection Business ( Ocin ) , which is attached to the Legal Office . But when a trader investigates Ocin because it charges a fee to a beneficiary to change 100 % of their monthly cash benefit , not investigated simultaneously the beneficiary , admits Arana .
However, the official said that it submitted a proposal to the Food Nutrition Service ( FNS ) of the Department of Agriculture of the United States, responsible for the program , to improve investigative procedures and train specific staff to this work . " They are interested and we anticipate that they will approve the plan," said Aran . Strengthening the research area is not required to apply for federal funds for that purpose, but must be approved by the agency , which ADSEF , whose manager is Marta Elsa Fernandez pays reports .

We know that as soon change the way we deal with complaints and process claims cases will increase , "said Arana .

Links and References

alfonso madrid - GS

alfonso madrid psiquiatra - GS

_________________________________________________

Puerto Rico corrections officers accused in federal drug smuggling case

Puerto Rico corrections officers accused in federal drug smuggling case

by Associated Press

Puerto Rico officials charged in federal drug case

Associated Press – 11 September 2013 14:20-04:00

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Twelve people in Puerto Rico have been indicted on federal charges of smuggling heroin into jails across the U.S. territory.

U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said Wednesday that those arrested include a court marshal, five correctional officers, a correctional guard and a correctional nurse.

She says the indictments follow a joint investigation by the FBI and local authorities, including the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections.

News Topics: General news, Drug-related crime, Drug traff

11 de septiembre de 2013

Arrestan a 12 empleados penales en operativo federal

Acusados por introducir drogas en cárceles

Se informó que entre los acusados hay un alguacil estatal del Tribunal de Ponce; seis oficiales de custodia; una enfermera y cuatro civiles.(jose.madera@gfrmedia.com)

Por Mariana Cobián / mariana.cobian@gfrmedia.com

Doce empleados de varias cárceles de la Isla y civiles fueron acusados por un gran jurado por supuestamente introducir sustancias controladas a varias instituciones penales.

Esta mañana, agentes del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés) diligencian 11 órdenes de arresto en los pueblos de Cataño, Guayama, Santa Isabel, Hatillo y Bayamón, y una en el estado de Connecticut.

Se informó que entre los acusados hay un alguacil estatal del Tribunal de Ponce, seis oficiales de custodia, una enfermera y cuatro civiles.

La enfermera y dos de los guardias penales trabajaban en la Cárcel de Bayamón, que fue una de las prisiones a las que introdujeron droga, mayormente heroína. Las demás instituciones fueron la cárcel de Ponce, la de Guayama y la Cárcel de Mujeres de Vega Alta. También se alega que entraron drogas ilegales al Centro Médico de Río Piedras.

La investigación estuvo a cargo del FBI, el Negociado de Investigaciones Especiales (NIE) del Departamento de Justicia, el Departamento de Corrección y la Policía de Puerto Rico.

Los arrestados serán llevados durante el día ante un magistrado federal para la vista inicial en su contra.

A "limpiar las cárceles"

Ante estos arrestos, el secretario de Departamento de Corrección y Rehabilitación, José R. Negrón Fernández, afirmó que la investigación se realizó con apoyo de la agencia. De hecho, dijo que hay cuatro oficiales correccionales que trabajan en el “task force” con el FBI.

“Estamos trabajando mano a mano, uniendo esfuerzos, para ciertamente combatir un problema que yo he aceptado que tenemos en el sistema carcelario de Puerto Rico, que es la entrada de material de contrabando en las instituciones. Es lamentable que estos funcionarios hayan -con su conducta- aceptado cambiar su uniforme de oficial al de personas detenidas”, afirmó el funcionario en entrevista radial (NotiUno).

Dijo que le da la bienvenida a cualquier otra investigación necesaria para combatir la venta de drogas dentro de las cárceles. Señaló que solo así podrá cumplir su meta de “limpiar las cárceles”.

Asimismo, Negrón Fernández comentó que “lo que tengo que exhortar es a que la mayoría de los empleados, que son empleados honestos, sigamos adelante, sigamos trabajando con dedicación, con responsabilidad, por la única misión que se nos encargó y que nosotros voluntariamente aceptamos al juramentar a nuestros puestos, que es trabajar para poder rehabilitar a las personas que son ingresadas (en prisión)”.

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Puerto Rico to debate medical use of marijuanaMSN MoneySAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Legislators in Puerto Rico are preparing to debate a bill that would allow people to use marijuana for medicinal purposes in this conservative U.S. terri...

Puerto Rico to Debate Medical Marijuana Legalization

By Associated PressSeptember 9, 2013

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SAN JUAN, PR — Legislators in Puerto Rico are preparing to debate a bill that would allow people to use marijuana for medicinal purposes in this conservative U.S. territory, officials said Thursday.

The measure would create a system to legally produce the substance and allow state health officials to regulate it, said Rep. Jose Baez, one of the bill’s two authors.

It calls for a classification of medical conditions and requirements that would allow patients to smoke marijuana in their homes. Conditions would range from cancer to glaucoma to anxiety.

The measure also would allow the island’s health department to award special permits to patients to grow their own pot if they couldn’t afford to buy it at an authorized clinic or if they lived too far from the clinics.

“Treating this strictly as something that should be punished has clearly not worked,” said Rep. Carlos Vargas, the bill’s other author.

The proposal comes shortly after the U.S. federal government pledged not to prosecute or block state pot-legalization laws on the condition that states enact strict and effective regulations.

Last year, Colorado and Washington became the first U.S. states to legalize marijuana use for those over 21. The law, however, bans the public use of marijuana.

Twenty states and Washington, D.C., currently allow or have passed laws to allow the medical use of marijuana.

Both Baez and Vargas said Puerto Rico lawmakers should follow their lead.

“This legislature cannot ignore U.S. trends, especially when these reforms offer concrete and proven solutions to various social and economic problems that are affecting Puerto Rico,” the bill’s introduction says.

Earlier this year, a former Puerto Rico police chief who is now a senator introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana for personal use. Sen. Miguel Pereira, a former federal prosecutor and corrections secretary, said at the time that possession cases were costing the government money and noted that 80 percent of inmates were serving time for non-violent crimes.

The bill, which drew widespread criticism, is still in committee.

Although Puerto Rico is one of several Caribbean islands, including Jamaica and St. Lucia, where activists have pushed to legalize marijuana use, opponents remain.

Sen. Jose Perez said he opposes both pot bills, and in particular feels the medical marijuana measure has too many loopholes.

“How are they going to control this?” he said. “It’s a delicate subject. I think they’re rushing into this.”

Perez said he also worries that people not authorized to grow, buy or sell marijuana for medical use will abuse the system to obtain it.

“Young people are not prepared for this,” he said. “If they don’t have control over alcohol, who’s to say they’re going to have control over drugs?”

 Carlos Vargas , Jose Baez , Jose Perez , Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico authorities continue to intercept contraband at ferry terminal
Published on August 30, 2013	Email To Friend    Print Version
FAJARDO, Puerto Rico -- Law enforcement components of the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF) in Puerto Rico have intercepted approximately 138 kilos (304 pounds) of cocaine, two weapons and approximately $21,400 in currency in ferries arriving from the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra since January 2013, and six individuals have been arrested during the interventions. In January 2013, CBP in Fajardo commenced a joint operation with participation of federal and local law enforcement, to include Office of Field Operations, Border Patrol, Office of Air and Marine, US Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and the Puerto Rico Police Department Forces of Rapid Action (FURA). It is an initiative to conduct inspections on passengers and vehicles which arrive from Culebra and Vieques and disrupt drug trafficking organizations responsible for the movement of narcotics utilizing the island municipalities as a transshipment point for further distribution to the United States. Multiple seizures of contraband of controlled substances have been processed by CBP officers and transferred over to Homeland Security Investigations and/or Drug Enforcement Administration officials for investigative purposes. The contraband has been hidden in luggage, concealed inside vehicles or abandoned in common areas. The latest seizures occurred this past weekend, when approximately 27 kilos of cocaine were found in a vehicle arriving on the ferry on Friday and another 8 kilos on Sunday. In addition to the contraband seizures, more than 15 illegal aliens arriving from both municipalities have been detained and turned over to Ramey Border Patrol agents for further processing. Numerous arrests have resulted from these interventions and the commitment of federal and local agencies to disrupt the trafficking of controlled substance through these routes remains strong. “These arrests and seizures should send a message to those individuals who think they can use the ferry in Fajardo to smuggle contraband or illegals. We are committed to continue protecting our borders,” stated Fajardo Port Director George Rivera.   Indictment Charges 126 Individuals in Puerto Rico for Drug Trafficking SAN JUAN—United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez announced the indictment and arrest of 126 defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. Today, FBI agents and officers of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD), the agencies in charge of the investigation, executed the arrest warrants with assistance from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations; United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the United States Marshals Service. The indictment, handed down August 15, 2013, by a federal grand jury and unsealed in federal court today, charges 126 individuals with conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), heroin, cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet), and alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax), all within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a public or private school and/or playground at the Morales Ward (Barriada Morales) in the Municipality of Caguas, Puerto Rico. The indictment alleges that beginning in 2005, the organization operated six different drug points located within Barriada Morales. These drug points would have fixed prices for each type of drug in order to maintain the parity of the sales among the drug points. The 126 co-conspirators had many roles in order to further the goals of the conspiracy. The following are the roles as alleged in the indictment: 18 leaders or drug point owners; 26 enforcers; three drug processors; 23 runners/suppliers; 40 sellers; and 16 facilitators. All defendants are facing a forfeiture allegation of $76 million. Some of the defendants and their co-conspirators would be paid $500 a week in exchange for their job as enforcers. During the holiday season, the sellers would often receive a cash award or a “Christmas bonus” in addition to their regular pay. The indictment further alleges that the co-conspirators would have access to different vehicles, usually parked in strategic locations, inside and outside Barriada Morales, in order to transport money, narcotics, and firearms. These vehicles would often be used by some of the defendants and their co-conspirators to conduct drive-by shootings and to go out and “hunt” rival gang members. Fifty-two of the co-conspirators are charged with using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Some of the defendants and their co-conspirators would often act as look-outs and armed surveillance at five strategically located observation points, used to alert other co-conspirators of the presence of law enforcement agents and/or rival drug traffickers. During daylight hours, the armed surveillance would be conducted with pistols and revolvers. At night, the co-conspirators in charge of the armed surveillance would conduct the same by possessing, carrying and brandishing high power rifles, often altered to function as fully automatic. The members of the conspiracy used force, violence, and intimidation in order to scare rival drug traffickers and members of their own organization. Sometimes, the leaders would discipline the members of their own organization by breaking their legs and arms using an axe handle. “Violent drug trafficking gangs should take note and know that we are determined to break their grip on communities and that they will face severe penalties for their crimes,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Federal and local law enforcement agencies remain committed to using every tool available to attack these criminal organizations and to reduce gang violence and bring narcotics and firearms violators to justice.” “The FBI’s message is clear and unequivocal. We will work together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to assign all necessary resources to identify, locate, and arrest violent crimes offenders. They will face our justice system. They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Carlos Cases, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Puerto Rico. Assistant United States Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Teresa Zapata and Special Assistant United States Attorney Victor O Acevedo-Hernández are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The defendants were the targets of a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDEFT) investigation, responsible for drug trafficking in Puerto Rico. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.  Reported by: FBI

• 
  
• from Puerto Rico Report:

• September 6th 2013
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  1. FBI — Five Puerto Rico Police Department Officers Indicted on ...

     www.fbi.gov › San Juan › Press Releases › 2013‎

     Aug 7, 2013 - WASHINGTON—A second superseding indictment against five Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) officers was announced today by ...

     
     

  Five Puerto Rico Police Department Officers Indicted on Federal Civil Rights, Obstruction of Justice, and Perjury Charges
  

  U.S. Department of JusticeAugust 07, 2013

  Office of Public Affairs(202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888

  WASHINGTON—A second superseding indictment against five Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) officers was announced today by Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division; Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico; and Carlos Cases, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office.

  According to the indictment unsealed today, PRPD Lt. Erick Rivera Nazario, Officer David Colon Martinez, and Officer Angel Torres Quinones were indicted on civil rights charges alleging that they violated the constitutional rights of Jose Irizarry Perez while he was celebrating the local election results at the Las Colinas housing development in Yauco, Puerto Rico, on November 5, 2008. Rivera was also charged with violating the civil rights of Irizarry Perez’s father, Jose Irizarry Muniz. In addition, Rivera, Colon, Officer Miguel Negron Vazquez, and Sgt. Antonio Rodriguez Caraballo were indicted for obstruction of justice and making false statements to the FBI and a federal grand jury. Torres was indicted for obstruction of justice by providing misleading information to the local prosecutor.

  According to the 20-count second superseding indictment, while Colon held and restrained Irizarry Perez, Rivera and another PRPD officer physically struck Irizarry Perez and assaulted him with a police baton, which resulted in bodily injury to him. In addition, the second superseding indictment charges Torres with striking Irizarry Perez with a police baton, which also resulted in bodily injury to him. The second superseding indictment alleges that Rivera, Colon and Torres thereby deprived Irizarry Perez of his right to be free from unreasonable seizures by those acting under color of law. Although Irizarry Perez died as a result of injuries he sustained on November 5, 2008, the second superseding indictment does not include charges that his death resulted from the defendants’ conduct. Rivera, who was a supervisor at the time of the incident, was also charged with failing to keep Irizarry Perez and his father from harm when an officer whom Rivera supervised assaulted the victims in Rivera’s presence.

  In addition, the second superseding indictment alleges that Rivera, Colon, Negron, and Rodriguez made false statements concerning the incident to the FBI and to the federal grand jury which had been investigating the incident. Colon and Negron were also charged with obstruction of justice for submitting false police reports and for providing misleading information to the Puerto Rico prosecutor that initially investigated the matter. Rodriguez and Torres were also charged with obstruction of justice for providing misleading information to the Puerto Rico prosecutor, and Rivera was additionally charged with obstruction of justice for submitting a false police report.

  Each of the civil rights charges is punishable by a maximum term of 10 years in prison. Each count charging obstruction of justice is punishable by a maximum term of 20 years in prison. Each count charging making false statements to the FBI and perjury is punishable by a maximum term of five years in prison. In addition, every charge in the indictment carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

  An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

  This case is being investigated by the San Juan Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and Senior Litigation Counsel Gerard Hogan and Trial Attorney Shan Patel from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

  
  

  Posted on 9.10.13      Last Update on 10.2.13