U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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| Immediate Release |
San Juan, Puerto Rico |
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October 19, 2005 |
NEWS RELEASEHumberto Garcia, United States Attorney, District of Puerto Rico; Luis S. Fraticelli, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island and Brian Wimpling, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Puerto Rico, announced the indictments of eleven (11) individuals on charges of Conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and Theft or Embezzlement with connection with Health Care. From on or about January 1, 1998, and continuing through December 21, 2004 in the District of Puerto Rico, the defendants herein, did, knowingly and intentionally, combine, conspire and agree with each other and to knowingly and wilfully embezzle, steal and otherwise without authority convert to the use of any person other than their rightful owner, and to intentionally misapply moneys, premiums and property of Health Plan, a health care benefit program, approximately $15,282,931.00belonging to the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA), Union Independiente Autentica (UIA) workers's union,, Health Care Plan funds, as prohibited by Title 18, United States Code, Section 669 and 2. All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 371. The defendants also conspired to launder money embezzled from the health plan. Health care fraud and money laundering forfeiture allegations were also charged against any real or personal property that is derived from gross proceeds traceable to the commission of a federal health care or money laundering offenses in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 981, 982, and 1956. Since 1998, the defendants diverted premiums and moneys belonging to the AAA, UIA's Health Care Plan, for the purpose of embezzling, stealing and otherwise without authorities converting to the use of the defendants and the Union said premiums and monies. It was also an object of the conspiracy to intentionally misapply moneys, premiums and property of the Health Plan for defendant's pay and profit. On October 19, 2005, a Federal Grand Jury (FGJ) in the District of Puerto Rico, indicted eleven (11) subjects for conspiracy to intentionally misapply moneys, premiums and property of the Health Plan for defendant's pay and profit as prohibited by Title 18, United States Code, Section 669 and 2. All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Penalties for convictions of the Theft or Embezzlement offenses alleged in the indictments are two hundred fifty thousand ($500,000) dollars fine and/or not more than 20 years of imprisonment. On October 20, 2005, approximately 65 IRS and FBI Agents participated on the arrests. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants is presumed innocent and is entitled to fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The defendants are as follows: 1- Hector Rene Lugo Rios, 54 years old, resident of Carolina, Puerto Rico (PR). 2- Andres Carrasquillo Colon, 69 years old, resident of Carolina, P.R. 3- Elba I. Garcia Pastrana, 56 years old, resident of Trujillo Alto, P.R. 4- Felipe Roman Lozada, 66 years old, resident of Caguas, P.R. 5- Juan Roldan Vega, 51 years old, resident Arecibo, P.R. 6- Juan R. Ramos Hernandez, 54 years old, resident of Canovanas, P.R. 7- Luis A. Andino Delbrey, 48 years old, resident of Juncos. P.R. 8- Jesus CAraballo Ortiz, 49 years old, resident of Guayama, P.R. 9- Fracisco Martinez Irrizary, 50 years old, resident of San German, P.R. 10- Jorge L. Urbina Acevedo, 45 years old, resident of Guaynabo, P.R.
11- Enrique Vazquez Prestamo, 52 years old, resident of Peñuelas, P.R |
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