Angel Roberto Santos-Garcia, Theft of Federal Funds, Puerto Rico 2018

U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez announced that Angel Roberto Santos-Garcia, a former Director of Finance for the Municipality of Toa Baja, has pleaded guilty to the theft of federal funds.

Santos-Garcia admitted to transferring approximately $650,000 in funds from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to the general account and payroll account of the Municipality of Toa Baja.

The unauthorized transfers were made to pay the municipal payroll and to pay municipal contractors, resulting in the illegal theft of federal funds. Santos-Garcia faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years of imprisonment for the theft of federal funds.

The sentencing hearing for Santos-Garcia is scheduled for December 20, 2018, before District Judge Carmen C. Cerezo. U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez highlighted the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions.

“Theft of federal funds is a serious offense that undermines the trust of the public,” Rodríguez-Vélez said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”

In a separate case, Luis Serrano-Perdigon, a contractor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery. Serrano-Perdigon admitted to conspiring with Edgar Arroyo Amezquita, the Director of Facilities for the Municipality of Toa Baja from May 2011 through May 2013, to defraud the municipality and to bribe Arroyo to receive municipal contracts.

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