Puerto Rico Fights Back Against Financial Crimes: 4 Individuals Charged with Bribery and Fraud
In a significant crackdown on financial crimes, the Federal Grand Jury in Puerto Rico has returned a 20-count indictment against four individuals accused of conspiring to commit bribery and fraud. The scheme, which spanned from 2020 to 2021, involved bribes paid by a motor vehicle importer to Hacienda employees in exchange for approval of fraudulent and non-fraudulent vehicle excise-tax declarations.
The Scheme
According to the indictment, Ariel Pintado-Montalvo, the alleged mastermind behind the scheme, paid thousands of dollars in cash and mobile payments to Antonio Silva-Rodríguez, Héctor Vázquez-Barroso, and Doris Bonilla-Valle, who worked at the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury’s (Hacienda) digital platform, SURI. In return, the employees approved fraudulent declarations that resulted in a decrease in excise tax paid by Pintado-Montalvo and a loss of revenue for Hacienda.
How it Worked
The scheme involved using WhatsApp to communicate between the parties, with Pintado-Montalvo providing the declaration numbers to be approved and receiving notifications when the approvals were granted. The bribes were paid in batches, with cash and mobile payments used to facilitate the transactions.
Charges and Investigation
The indictment charges the four individuals with:
- Conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds
- Paying and receiving bribes
- Honest services wire fraud
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (HSI), Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda), Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), and Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Response from Law Enforcement
“This prosecution serves as a warning to other public employees involved in these types of schemes that they will be investigated and prosecuted, and that such violations will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow.
Corruption is a pervasive problem in Puerto Rico, and law enforcement agencies are working together to combat it. “Attacking this threat at all levels and having a zero-tolerance posture is necessary in order to have a real impact,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office.
Collaboration and Zero-Tolerance Approach
The case highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies and the need for a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. “Money that goes directly to our citizens for enhancements in our island, to our public servers, our schools, and our roads, were not collected in exchange for personal gain,” said Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, San Juan.
Conclusion
The investigation was led by the FBI, with assistance from Hacienda, PRPB, and Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.