What will happen to ex-governor’s bodyguard who pleaded guilty is still undecided

By The Star Staff

Police Commissioner Joseph González Falcón said Tuesday that a final decision has not yet been made regarding the bodyguard maintained by former Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced, who pleaded guilty last week in federal court to accepting the promise of campaign contributions from a foreigner.

“Not yet. They will work on that this week,” González said in response to a question at a press conference at Police Bureau General Headquarters in Hato Rey. “As soon as the Puerto Rico Police Legal Division completes its analysis, and La Fortaleza, their legal team, is also conducting its analysis, we will sit down with a team and make the final decision there. As soon as we have that determination, it will be made public.”

The police chief reiterated that the determination will be the result of a joint analysis between the police and La Fortaleza, and not a single party.

Vázquez Garced, the first former governor to be convicted of a crime, pleaded guilty in federal court on Aug. 27. The agreement reached with the federal prosecutor’s office provides for a sentence of between six and 12 months of probation, with a hearing scheduled for Oct. 15. The plea agreement dismissed the most serious charges she faced -- conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery -- and left a single charge related to her acceptance of a promise of financial aid from Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini during the 2020 primary campaign.