Wednesday, September 11, 2013

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.
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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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
09/09/13 16:22 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Rico Debt Prices Slump AnewWall Street JournalHe said the Puerto Rico debt was trading cheaper than some debt from Detroit. Puerto Rico bond prices have tumbled as investors have worried about the island's tepid economy. Puert...

 » Puerto Rico debt roils US municipal bond mutual funds - Reuters
03/09/13 12:57 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Rico debt roils US municipal bond mutual fundsReuters"While Puerto Rico yields are high, the risks are high too," said Michelle Knight, who runs $600 million in muni bonds at Boston's Silver Bridge Advisors. "Th...

 » UPDATE 2-Puerto Rico cuts planned debt sales after bond sell-off - Reuters
10/09/13 16:16 from puerto rico economy - Google News
UPDATE 2-Puerto Rico cuts planned debt sales after bond sell-offReutersIn addition, some investors in America's $3.7 trillion muni market worry that Wall Street credit agencies will soon downgrade their Puerto Rico bond ratings becau...

 » Commonwealth Financing Plans Dropped, Lenders Lose Confidence
11/09/13 01:36 from Puerto Rico Report
The financing of Puerto Rico’s insular government took a serious hit yesterday as a loss of confidence in the Commonwealth by buyers of tax-free bonds […]

 » #PR to scale back bond plans for 2013 as yields surge, investors dump debt. Read...
10/09/13 12:34 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
#PR to scale back bond plans for 2013 as yields surge, investors dump debt. Read... #PR to scale back bond plans for 2013 as yields surge, investors dump debt. Read: http://ow.ly/oJByC #caribbeanbusiness#PR to scale back bond plans for ...

 » Puerto Rico 'Herd Mentality' Hurts All Island Bonds, Amodeo Says - Bloomberg
11/09/13 08:50 from puerto rican community in new york - Google News
euronewsPuerto Rico 'Herd Mentality' Hurts All Island Bonds, Amodeo SaysBloombergNot all municipal bonds from Puerto Rico are created equal, yet investors spooked by reports about the commonwealth's fiscal health are treating...

 » #PR economy slides 5% in July. Read: http://ow.ly/owoZc #caribbeanbusiness#PR...
03/09/13 16:25 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
#PR economy slides 5% in July. Read: http://ow.ly/owoZc #caribbeanbusiness #PR economy slides 5% in July. Read: http://ow.ly/owoZc #caribbeanbusiness#PR economy slides 5% in July. Read: http://ow.ly/owoZc #caribbeanbusiness 

 » Survey: 4Q hiring outlook dim for #PR. Read: http://ow.ly/oJxsL #caribbeanbusine...
10/09/13 13:33 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
Survey: 4Q hiring outlook dim for #PR. Read: http://ow.ly/oJxsL #caribbeanbusiness Survey: 4Q hiring outlook dim for #PR. Read: http://ow.ly/oJxsL #caribbeanbusinessSurvey: 4Q hiring outlook dim for #PR. Read: http://ow.ly/oJxsL #caribb...

» The Puerto Rico Report
06/09/13 10:01 from puerto rico economy - Google Blog Search
Puerto Rico's economy and population are shrinking and the island depends entirely on imported energy sources...maybe these facts made my official audience more receptive than most I've encountered.

» Financial Half-Truths in Puerto Rico - CounterPunch
06/09/13 05:27 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Financial Half-Truths in Puerto RicoCounterPunchLast week in Barron's, the journalist Andrew Bary, shows a rare example of honesty, even if only “half-way” honesty, in assessing the economic situation in Puerto Rico, the oldest U.S. ...

» Surviving the Bond Exodus - Huffington Post
09/09/13 15:12 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Huffington PostSurviving the Bond ExodusHuffington PostYou were drawing parallels between our economy today and post-World War II. What lessons can be ... For example, we've been warning about the problems in Puerto Rico and their mu...

» Puerto Rico Yield Penalty Doubles as Island's Economy Shrinks - Bloomberg
09/09/13 13:35 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Rico Yield Penalty Doubles as Island's Economy ShrinksBloombergThe extra yield on Puerto Rico general-obligation bonds has doubled in the past four weeks as its economy in July shrank the most in 41 months. Puerto Rico bonds m...

» PR birth, fertility rates continue to fall.Read: http://ow.ly/oH5HO #caribbeanbu...
09/09/13 11:48 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
PR birth, fertility rates continue to fall.Read: http://ow.ly/oH5HO #caribbeanbu... PR birth, fertility rates continue to fall.Read: http://ow.ly/oH5HO #caribbeanbusinessPR birth, fertility rates continue to fall.Read: http://ow.ly/oH5H...

» #Bond analysts still bullish on Puerto Rico.Read: http://ow.ly/oDbll #caribbeanb...
06/09/13 22:16 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
#Bond analysts still bullish on Puerto Rico.Read: http://ow.ly/oDbll #caribbeanb... #Bond analysts still bullish on Puerto Rico.Read: http://ow.ly/oDbll #caribbeanbusiness#Bond analysts still bullish on Puerto Rico.Read: http://ow.ly/oD...

» Puerto Ricans featured in TV ad promoting island move to US mainland - Washington Post
06/09/13 21:11 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Ricans featured in TV ad promoting island move to US mainlandWashington PostSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Puerto Rican family that starred in a TV ad promoting investment in the island has joined an ongoing exodus to Florida, embarras...

» Puerto Rico Says It's Committed To Investor Disclosure, Transparency - Barron's (blog)
06/09/13 16:17 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Rico Says It's Committed To Investor Disclosure, TransparencyBarron's (blog)Yesterday the Wall Street Journal reported that Puerto Rico government officials held a meeting in March at which they disclosed some financial news o...

» Stars in TV ad promoting Puerto Rico move to US - Fort Worth Star Telegram
06/09/13 20:22 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Stars in TV ad promoting Puerto Rico move to USFort Worth Star TelegramSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Puerto Rican family that starred in a TV ad promoting investment in the island has joined an ongoing exodus to Florida, embarrassing a gover...

» Puerto Ricans featured in TV ad promoting island move to US mainland - Washington Post
06/09/13 18:01 from puerto rico economy - Google News
Puerto Ricans featured in TV ad promoting island move to US mainlandWashington PostSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Puerto Rican family that starred in a TV ad promoting investment in the island has joined an ongoing exodus to Florida, embarras...

08/09/13 06:45 from Puerto Rico Business Newss Facebook Wall
Puerto Ricans charged with Social Security fraud - Lexington Herald Leader Tico Times Puerto Ricans charged with Social Security fraud Lexington Herald Leader SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Federal authorities are serving warrants on 75 peop...

Doctors, postal workers accused of fraud

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 

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

-

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 .


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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 Marijuana Legalization

By Associated PressSeptember 9, 2013Puerto Rico to Debate Medical Marijuana Legalization
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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?”
  ,  ,  , 

Puerto Rico authorities continue to intercept contraband at ferry terminal
Published on August 30, 2013Email 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


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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

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