Trial date set for Mayagüez mayor in corruption case

By The Star Staff

Judge William Machado Aldarondo of the Mayagüez Court of First Instance has set Nov. 7 as the start of the trial against the suspended mayor of Mayagüez, José Guillermo Rodríguez.

The trial was scheduled earlier this week while the mayor’s legal representation filed an appeal before the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, which is pending resolution.

In July, a Court of Appeals panel composed of judges Laura Ortiz Flores, Maritere Brignoni Martí and Carlos Candelaria Rosa upheld the denial of the request to dismiss charges of conspiracy and misappropriation of public funds against Rodríguez and municipal finance director Yahaira Valentín Andrade.

That determination validated the procedures carried out by special prosecutors Leticia Pabón Ortiz and Ileana Agudo Camareno during the preliminary hearing.

The charges against Rodríguez and Valentín Andrade are related to the diversion of $9.8 million intended to complete phases five and six of the Mayagüez Trauma Center, funds that were deposited in an investment account in New York.