CPI: La Fortaleza for sale — donations, CEE and lean years

On October 23, 2008, the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI) published an investigation of collections and income/expense reports to the State Elections Commission (CEE) from January to September: in a year of crisis and federal cases, donations to parties and gubernatorial candidates paled beside 2004, yet PPD, PNP and their leaders still showed excesses, delays and contradictory sworn information.

CPI places Aníbal Acevedo Vilá with only $413,016 reported versus $2.6 million a month before the 2004 election (−84%); the PPD had raised about half of the then $1.1 million. Luis Fortuño, individually, totaled $1 million more than Rosselló’s $2.6 million in 2004, but the PNP under his leadership had raised just under $750,000 versus $2.2 million (−65%). The PIP fell ~82% ($50,000 vs $268,562); the debutant PPR ~$7,000. Acevedo Vilá faced federal charges; he and the PPD also raised for legal defense in an account whose donors, per CPI, remained hidden with the CEE president’s blessing.

On enforcement, CPI states Ramón E. Gómez Colón had over 8,000 Electoral Auditor referrals without a single fine, and refused to publish names until “making a determination.” Findings: donations over the annual $1,000 cap; late filings (Acevedo missing August/September; PPD 35 late reports counting APCs); APC in Gurabo with 4,500 people / $380; Fortuño “snacks” without identifying donors; PNP donation of $14,602 from “Amigos Minilla” without confirmed registration; Fortuño July–August sample with nearly half of $170,000 from the U.S.; 24 people with same-day repeat gifts totaling $45,200 in excess.

Journalistic finding / administrative referral ≠ indictment or conviction. Reported donation ≠ adjudicated crime. Primary: CPI 2008-10-23.

Source: Centro de Periodismo Investigativo. https://periodismoinvestigativo.com/2008/10/se-vende-la-fortaleza-a-quemazon-y-sin-restricciones/