Mayor of Barceloneta Arrested for Bribery

SAN JUAN, PR—Today, Sol Luis Fontanes-Olivo, mayor of the municipality of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents for bribery, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The complaint charging Fontanes-Olivo with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds was authorized last night by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Aida Delgado-Colón.

According to the affidavit there are audio and video recordings of Fontanes-Olivo making arrangements for payments and receiving the same. The bribe payments were picked up by a co-conspirator who in turn delivered the payments to Fontanes-Olivo. The payments were kickbacks corruptly solicited by the mayor in relation to the sale of properties belonging to the municipality. The payments received by the mayor exceeded $50,000.

“Dishonest public officials who request illegal payments from contractors as a regular course of business do not serve the interests of their constituents. This breach of public trust will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.“We will continue to prosecute public officials who abuse their positions of trust for personal gain.”

This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by AUSA Charles Walsh.

If found guilty, the defendant could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Criminal complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.