FBI arrests former Puerto Rico education secretary,five others in corruption probe

Orlando, Fla. — Federal authorities in Puerto Rico unveiled a sprawling corruption investigation into high levels of the island’s government Wednesday, including criminal charges against six people, including two former agency officials.

The Justice Department accused Julia Keleher, the former education secretary, and Ángela Ávila Marrero, the former executive director of the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration, of steering $15.5 million in federal funds to unqualified, politically connected contractors.

Glenda Ponce-Mendoza and Mayra Ponce-Mendoza, two sisters who worked as education contractors were also arrested along with Fernando Scherrer Caillet, an accounting firm executive and consultant Alberto Velázquez Piñol. The two businessmen face charges of money laundering, and other serious in the 32-count indictment.

The U.S. attorney for Puerto Rico, said the men used their political influence to improperly obtain contracts, and then used that money for illegal lobbying.

Velázquez Pinol was arrested in Greenwich, Connecticut. Keleher, who resigned from her position in April, was arrested in Washington. The other arrests took place in Puerto Rico.

Investigators found that government officials and employees used personal email and Telegram, a mobile encrypted messaging app, to conduct government business.

Keleher’s arrest was especially notable, following a tumultuous tenure in which she closed hundreds of public schools, citing Puerto Rico’s diminishing population and dwindling resources.

The arrests come as Puerto Rico’s leaders are asking Congress to approve $12 billion for the island’s Medicaid program, which faces a looming funding shortfall.

President Donald Trump, has been the most prominent skeptic of sending aid to Puerto Rico, who has repeatedly cast the island’s leaders as incompetent.

The arrests rocked the administration of Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló, who said he would cut short a family vacation in France to hastily return to Puerto Rico.

“It is time to be present on the island and reiterate the message personally: The agenda of this Government does not stop, despite those who have incorrectly decided to treason the trust of the People,” Rosselló said in a statement.