Bribes for a Decade: Former Puerto Rico Mayor Pleads Guilty
The streets of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, have been marred by corruption for far too long. The latest scandal to hit the town involves none other than its former mayor, Luis Arroyo-Chiqués.
Arroyo-Chiqués, 56, was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Aguas Buenas from 2005 until 2016. During his tenure, he negotiated a 10-year contract with Company A for waste collection services.
However, what seemed like a standard municipal contract turned out to be a bribery scheme of monumental proportions. In exchange for the 10-year contract, Arroyo-Chiqués received a monthly $5,000 kickback payment in cash every month from 2016 until June 2021.
The investigation, led by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, uncovered a complex web of corruption that went far beyond a simple bribery scheme. Arroyo-Chiqués pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a bribery scheme, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine Arroyo-Chiqués’ sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendant faces a maximum of five years in prison for his crimes.
The case is a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in government. As the people of Aguas Buenas demand justice, they must also demand that their elected officials be held to the highest standards of integrity.
Luis Arroyo-Chiqués, 56, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. He was the mayor of Aguas Buenas from 2005 until 2016. Arroyo-Chiqués pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a bribery scheme. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for accepting monthly $5,000 kickback payments from 2016 until June 2021 in exchange for a 10-year waste collection contract. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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