Alejandro Carrasco, Bribery, Puerto Rico 2019

Former Puerto Rico Attorney Sentenced to 10 Years for Bribery

A former attorney for three municipalities in Puerto Rico has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds.

Alejandro Carrasco, 64, of San Juan, was convicted by a federal jury on Dec. 11, 2019, of four counts of bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds. According to evidence introduced at trial, at various times between July 2009 and June 2012, Carrasco was an attorney providing legal services to the Puerto Rican Municipalities of Barceloneta, Rio Grande, and Juncos.

During that time, he accepted bribes, disguised as legal fees, from a contractor in exchange for agreeing to assist the contractor in obtaining contracts with the three municipalities. The evidence introduced at trial revealed that, in total, Carrasco accepted more than $180,000 in bribes in exchange for helping the contractor obtain more than approximately $2.3 million in municipal contracts.

The evidence also revealed that Carrasco urged the contractor to bribe other public officials in the municipalities. 'This sentence reflects the severity of Mr. Carrasco's crimes,' said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Rafael Riviere of the FBI's San Juan Field Office in a joint statement.

The FBI's San Juan Field Office investigated the case, while the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico indicted the case. Trial Attorneys James I. Pearce and Nicole R. Lockhart of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.

Alejandro Carrasco's sentencing marks the end of a long-running investigation into corruption in Puerto Rico's municipalities. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government.

In related news, the FBI is continuing to investigate other cases of public corruption in Puerto Rico. The agency urges anyone with information about these crimes to come forward and report them to the authorities.

**MANDATORY FACTS**

Defendant: Alejandro Carrasco

Criminal Charges: Four counts of bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds

City and State: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Exact Date: Dec. 11, 2019

Sentence or Outcome: 10 years in prison

Dollar Amounts: $180,000 in bribes, $2.3 million in municipal contracts

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-attorney-municipalities-puerto-rico-sentenced-bribery