Four Puerto Rico Government Employees Indicted for Bribery and Fraud Scheme Involving Vehicle Excise Taxes
In a significant blow to Puerto Rico’s fiscal integrity, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico handed down a 20-count indictment against four individuals in late December 2023.
Defendants and Alleged Crimes
The defendants, Ariel Pintado-Montalvo, Antonio Silva-Rodríguez, Héctor Vázquez-Barroso, and Doris Bonilla-Valle, are accused of the following crimes:
- Bribery Concerning Program Receiving Federal Funds
- Paying and Receiving Bribes
- Honest Services Wire Fraud
The Alleged Scheme
Between 2020 and 2021, the defendants allegedly engaged in a bribery and fraud scheme involving vehicle excise taxes in Puerto Rico.
Pintado-Montalvo’s Role
Ariel Pintado-Montalvo, a vehicle importer and “gestor,” is accused of bribing Hacienda employees with thousands of dollars and ATH Móvil transactions in exchange for the approval of fraudulent and non-fraudulent vehicle excise-tax Declarations.
The Role of Hacienda Employees
Silva-Rodríguez, Vázquez-Barroso, and Bonilla-Valle each utilized their positions as Hacienda employees to approve these Declarations, receiving bribe payments in return.
The Digital Platform and Fraudulent Declarations
The Sistema Unificado de Rentas Internas (SURI), managed by Hacienda, was the digital platform used to administer and collect vehicle excise-taxes on imported vehicles. Each Declaration required the entry of the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) to calculate the excise tax based on the current Black Book value of the motor vehicle.
However, if an incorrect VIN was inputted into SURI, it would trigger the need for a review and potential correction by Hacienda employees.
Fraudulent Declaration Numbers
Pintado-Montalvo allegedly coordinated with co-defendants at Hacienda, providing fraudulent Declaration numbers via WhatsApp for approval. In return, Silva-Rodríguez, Vázquez-Barroso, or Bonilla-Valle approved these Declarations, waiving the proper excise tax payments due to Hacienda.
Non-Fraudulent Declarations
The indictment also alleges that non-fraudulent Declarations were approved with unusual speed by Hacienda employees in exchange for bribe payments.
Reactions and Commitment to Justice
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, stated:
“Our office will continue to prioritize the pursuit of corrupt public officials who exploit their positions for personal gain. This case is a clear indication of our unwavering commitment to bring such individuals to justice and maintain the integrity of our government.”
Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, added:
“Corruption remains a critical issue with complex contributing factors. This investigation underscores the importance of relentless enforcement efforts to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption at all levels.”
Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), San Juan, noted:
“The defendants in this case abused their public trust and diverted funds that rightfully belong to the people of Puerto Rico. DHS will remain vigilant against financial crimes that exploit vulnerabilities and threaten the infrastructure of the United States and its territories.”
Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda), Francisco Parés-Alicea, commented:
“The collaborative effort between the FBI and Hacienda has led to this significant development. Hacienda reaffirms its dedication to combating fraudulent activities that undermine fairness, transparency, and accountability.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández is handling the prosecution. The indictment is merely accusatory and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.