Three former Puerto Rican officials and another defendant were found guilty of various charges of government corruption Friday.
A jury at the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico found the four co-defendants guilty of collaborating in a scheme led by political fund raiser Anaudí Hernández, according to local press accounts. Hernández had led fundraising for the Popular Democratic Party, which has been Puerto Rico's ruling party since January 2013.
In December 2015 the FBI arrested Hernández and nine others for various charges of corruption and misuse of their office. Seven were government officials, one was the sister of a government official, and two were businessmen.
Since then Hernández and five others pled guilty to the charges.
On Friday a jury found the remaining four defendants guilty on all charges, according to El Vocero and other news outlets.
Sally L-pez Martínez, former administrator of the Puerto Rico Workforce Development Administration, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs fraud and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and depriving the state of honest services, three counts of wire fraud for a scheme at the administration, and one count of the receipt of a bribe. She faces up to 100 years in prison.
Ivonne Falcon, former vice-president and treasurer of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs fraud and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and depriving the state of honest services, three counts of wire fraud for a scheme at the authority, one count of the receipt of a bribe, and one count on extortion through the threat of economic harm. She faces a sentence of up to 80 years.
Her sister Marielis Nieves Falcon was found guilty of one count of extortion through the threat of economic harm. She faces a sentence of up to 20 years.
Former House of Representatives assistant Glenn Rivera Pizarro was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of misuse of public funds. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
The case judge released the four on bail. Sentencing will take place in February.
