Federal prosecutors deny collapse of case against former governor

Former Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced

By The Star Staff

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Puerto Rico has firmly rejected the claims made by former Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced regarding the collapse of the case against her.

In a motion, the ex-governor asserted that prosecutors and high-ranking officials acknowledged during a meeting in Washington, D.C. that the case against her had “collapsed” and was “no longer viable.”

Vázquez Garced, Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini and former FBI agent Mark Rossini were charged in 2024 with seven counts related to a bribery scheme to benefit Vázquez Garced’s political campaign. But the case did not go to trial and the former governor is expected to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

In a document submitted on Wednesday, the Attorney General’s Office declared that those allegations are entirely fabricated and confirmed that the indictment remains in effect.

“The government is prepared to move forward with the trial if needed,” the prosecutor’s office stated.

The response also challenged the defense’s characterization of the effect of its attorney’s argument, contested the existence of substantial evidence undermining the case’s theory, and refuted the claimed absence of a verifiable quid pro quo.

According to the filing, most of the information presented by the defense was already known or included in the discovery provided.

Moreover, the prosecution denied any claims made at a press conference suggesting that the former governor received $300,000 personally from the alleged scheme.

They also labeled as false the assertion that the negotiated settlement relied on new exculpatory evidence.

While reaffirming their willingness to take the case to trial, the prosecution defended the plea bargain as “suitable and in line with the priorities of the Department of Justice,” highlighting that the agreement aids in conserving judicial and prosecutorial resources.