Puerto Rico Governor Indicted

USA Today:

Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila was charged today with 18 counts of corruption, according to the Associated Press.

The wire service says federal prosecutors announced that they're filing charges against Acevedo and 12 others. The defendants are accused of participating in an illegal campaign finance scheme in 2000.

Read the whole story: USA Today

Comments

[SonOfUncleSam]

What he did is called by the IRS the "Headshot," which is he got his family members to donate to his campaign the legal maximum, $1000, the later after the campaign he reimbursed them.

The equivalent is when, let's say a young person graduates from college or is going to get married and their folks give them a gift of some money and then some time later they pay them back. This is technically illegal because it should have been declared a loan not a gift and the IRS can give you 20 years on that. But it's basically very common place and if they enforced it on everyone, millions would be in jail. It is likely his opponents have done the same.

The other complaint is that he didn't file income tax for money he made in the US, but Puerto Ricans don't file federal income taxes, but they are arguing since he made money in the US, then he is special.

A similar case happened in Alabama were the GOP prosecutors used trumped up changes to but the Democratic governor behind bars for the last seven years, only recently has the kangaroo court come under question. But it's become obvious that this is how the FBI and GOP and all those letters use their power.

Why not instead investigate the death of Ojeda? Oh that's right, because they are the ones covering it up. No need to look at real corruption, just manufacture some.

[SonOfUncleSam]

Actually, Puerto Rico has different Parties than the US, so while he is registered as a Democrat, he was not elected as one, he was elected as a member of the PPD (Popular Democratic Party) which is not the same as the North American Democratic Party and holds no official ties as it was a party created by Luis Munoz Marin.

The FBI is behind this. He likely came under fire when he criticized the FBI for not keeping him or any Puerto Ricans in the loop of the Filiberto Ojeda Rios affair, and denounced the FBI, so this smells like revenge. The FBI shot this man on an important Puerto Rican holiday, and let him drown in his own blood over the course of 12 hours. They claimed they forgot to bring a bomb squad, and wouldn't enter his house because of bombs. So instead of telling the governor or PR about this, or getting a bomb squad from PR, they asked for one from Virginia that would arrive conveniently until the next day. New photos have surfaced of Ojeda's cadaver that shows blood streaks and drag smears leading from his living room to his doorway, which raise suspicions if the FBI is giving account accurately. This was likely a deliberate assassination. And the governor called them out on it.

[Middbrain]

Sensors here havent posted a single on of my posts past few days-guess I am not big enough an Obama fan.Have fun self cheering guys I am outa here.bye.

[oshpd1]

This is another play by Clintons to smear people that do not support them. Think back to Travelgate and what they did to Larry Nichols.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Oh My God!! Now the Clintons are guilty because THIS guy is crooked. You Obama folks have gone off of the deep end.

[totalliberal]

Aha, wasn't Obama staying in the Virgin Islands? They are only 30 miles from Puerto Rico.
That makes him guilty. (of something.­)

[Mariposa4Life]

I know you're not trying to say that the Clinton's are completely clean and that all their "supporters" have no criminal record!!!

LOL!!! LOL!!! LOL!!!

Oh that's right Bill was convicted of perjury...­...

[totalliberal]

Well then in the MSM magic make-believe world that must make Obama guilty of something. They don't know what because that would entail that them doing some "work". Don't worry though Fox will make something up for them.

[Grannysue]

Gee I can't wait to see what the Clintons' do with this! Their flyer's will say it's OBAMA'S fault. She cannot win unless continues on her path of destruction. How odd they were charged now?

[WHATISTHIS]

The destruction of the Democrat Party, because of two idiots, would rather destroy it, than behave like adults. Everyone fears another four years of REPUBLICAN GARBAGE, but the two Morons, Bill and Hillary will fight like school yard children until the REPUBLICAN agenda is realized. The big losers will not be Clintonions, but it will surely be the citizens of America SAD SAD SAD "AND SICK"

GO BARACK OBAMA 2008

[KDH]

Obama's turn at the grand jury? Stay tuned to Rezco-gate­....who knows?

[anney]

I think I'll wait to see if the charges are legitimate, which they may be. But the Bush administration's legal maneuvers aren't to be trusted right off the bat.

[ByersL]

How convenient that he was indicted today, along with the publishing of the Wright brochures. This is a Bush-CLinton tactic folks. When Harold Ickes said more was coming on Obama, I'm sure this is what he was talking about. However, he is still in office, so he's still a delegate!

[Ramirez]

He can be a superdelegate even from jail. And during the election he can still campaign among the inmates.

[PrdAmerican]

Strike one SD from Obama's column. However, they don't state who the PA dem's are....cou­ld be Hillary has to strike a few of her own.

[rmetz74]

She already lost Spitzer.

[bdl0715]

The Governor can still be a SD unless he resigns from office or is convicted by the convention, which is unlikely.

[SaltySaltillo]

Well, first Spitzer now Acevedo... I guess both sides are bound to lose a superdelegate or two.

Worst part is, this was Obama's only high profile friend on the island. I think Obama needs to brush up on his Spanish and get on a plane to PR fast to do some "Levantense para Cambio" campaign events... Si se puede. Maybe Richardson can go with him and try to help.

By the way, why is it so hard for anyone to figure out what voters in PR are thinking. Some really dumb pundits think PR will go for Clinton because hispanics in TX and CA went for Clinton. This is silly, though, because Puerto Ricans are Americans who are not moved by the same issues that move Mexican immigrants, for example. What is motivating the PR voter? I cannot imagine.

But there is a strong PR NY connection that goes back 80 years... Clinton is NY... brand name recognition?

[IslandGyal]

Oh oh, there goes an Obama super delegate. Do you think he will be convicted before the convention, LOL?

[loki]

He is a democrat. But, his partners in this crime were corporate people from Philadelphia. I think its a lead up to a rethug campaign to draw attention away from the corruption of the rethug party. But as we all know, most Dumborats or Rethugs, they are all bought and paid for by corporations, and none are innocent of corruption.

[DesertLight]

No, but if you are keeping score, the Democrats are mounting one hell of a comeback in the late innings here, Lets see, Kilpatrick, Spitzer, Villaraigosa and Acevedo. Not to mention, Matt Drudge reports that New England might add another run to the score. Keep your fingers crossed we might be heading into extra innings.

[sandiegoconservative]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I have yet to hear all the perpetual outrage that surfaces when a Republican is caught doing something despicable. Why is there such a double standard on here? Wrong is wrong, regardless of party affiliation.

[DesertLight]

Another one bites the dust.