San Juan, PR – Scheme to Defraud Government of Puerto Rico
Three individuals have been charged with a scheme to defraud the government of Puerto Rico, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
The indictment charges Chrystal Robles-Báez, Isoel Sánchez-Santiago, and Ángel Figueroa-Cruz with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 10 substantive counts of wire fraud, intentional misapplication of property by an agent of an organization receiving federal funds, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
According to the allegations in the indictment, from in or about the year 2016 until June of 2018, defendants Chrystal Robles-Báez, Isoel Sánchez-Santiago, and Ángel Figueroa-Cruz engaged in a scheme to defraud money and property from the government of Puerto Rico by means of materially false and fraudulent representations and promises.
The defendants sought to accomplish their scheme to defraud by billing, approving and collecting for contractual professional services work that was either not completed, or was performed in contravention to the explicit terms of the contracts.
Defendant Chrystal Robles-Báez incorporated Global Instant Consulting Group, Inc. (“GICG”) on January 1, 2017, and defendant Isoel Sánchez-Santiago incorporated International Legislative and Governmental Consulting Group, Inc. (ILGCG) on the same day.
Defendant Ángel Figueroa-Cruz, who was the Executive Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs in the Puerto Rico Senate, falsely certified as correct, the information contained in the bills/invoices for payment submitted by defendant Robles-Báez as an “Intergovernmental Coordinator” on behalf of GICG in support of payment.
Defendants Robles-Báez and Sánchez-Santiago divided the proceeds of the conspiracy, with defendant Robles-Báez receiving approximately $2.5 million and defendant Sánchez-Santiago receiving approximately $1.5 million.
The case was referred to the FBI by the Puerto Rico Department of Justice and is currently under federal investigation.
Defendants Chrystal Robles-Báez, Isoel Sánchez-Santiago, and Ángel Figueroa-Cruz are currently in custody pending trial.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
