Former Public Employee Arrested for Violations of Program Fraud and Extortion Statutes

SAN JUAN, PR—Today, Juan A. Delgado-López, a former inspector with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (hereafter known by its Spanish acronym “DRNA”) was arrested by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) pursuant to an indictment alleging violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666 (a)(1)(B) and 1951(a), federal program fraud and extortion. 

According to the indictment, from around May 2009 through January 7, 2010, Delgado received approximately $3,200 in cash, provided in eight (8) payments of $400, in exchange for under-reporting the amount of sand and gravel extracted by a construction company in Juncos, Puerto Rico. As part of his duties, the indictment alleges that Delgado was responsible for reporting the amount of sand and gravel being extracted by construction companies licensed by the DRNA. Based on this amount reported, the DRNA would invoice the construction companies extraction fees. As a result of this under-reporting, the DRNA was unable to invoice or collect a substantial amount of fees to which it was entitled to.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting corruption at all levels of government so that the citizens living and doing business in Puerto Rico may have equal access to honest government services,” stated U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez.   

The penalty for these charges is a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00 dollars.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles R. Walsh.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.