Ex-Mayagüez mayor gets 3 years’ probation after admitting negligence

Former finance director pleads guilty in same scheme involving $9.8 million in public funds

Former Mayagüez Mayor José Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez

By The Star Staff

Former Mayagüez Mayor José Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation by Judge William Machado Aldarondo after pleading guilty to two counts of negligence in the performance of duty related to an embezzlement scheme involving public funds.

According to press reports, the agreement with the Office of the Independent Special Panel (OPFEI) allowed the original charges of dereliction of duty and embezzlement of public funds to be amended so that Rodríguez would face two counts of negligence. As part of the sentence, the former mayor agreed to pay $12,500 to cover the costs of the legal proceedings.

The case is linked to the transfer of $9.8 million, intended for the Mayagüez Trauma Center, to an investment account managed by Mayagüez Economic Development Inc. Between March 2016 and June 2018, the municipality only recovered a payment of $1.8 million.

Later on Tuesday, the former finance director for Mayagüez, Yahaira M. Valentín Andrade, pleaded guilty to two felony violations of Article 263 of the Penal Code, related to the same scheme.

With the admission, Valentín Andrade accepted responsibility for the mishandling of public funds and is now barred from holding public office.

“Each offense carries a sentence of three years in prison, which could be served on probation if the convicted person meets the requirements established by law and so determined by the court,” the OPFEI said in a statement.

Judge Machado ordered the preparation of a report and set the sentencing hearing for Aug. 6 at 2 p.m.