DOJ: De Castro Font pleads guilty — honest services and conspiracy

On January 21, 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that former senator Jorge De Castro Font, 45, pleaded guilty before federal judge Francisco Augusto Besosa (District of Puerto Rico) to 20 counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. The announcement came from Rita M. Glavin (Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division) and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez (USAO-PR).

Under the plea, between January 2, 2005 and August 2008 De Castro Font solicited — directly or indirectly — approximately $500,000 to $525,000 in cash and other benefits (over-limit campaign contributions, lodging, private flights, meals and things of value) from individuals. He admitted official acts in return: proposing legislation, blocking bills from being voted or processed, and persuading other legislators to vote for or against. He also admitted conspiracy to obtain benefits from five people who, he knew, feared economic harm if they did not pay.

The formal indictment dated October 2, 2008. Judge Besosa set sentencing for April 23, 2009 — meaning at the time of the release the plea was not yet a sentence. On December 4, 2008, political consultant Alberto Goachet (aide to De Castro Font) had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder illegal contributions and payments through false invoices of his consulting firm; he also admitted false statements to the FBI in August 2008.

Glavin stressed that using elective office for personal gain denies citizens the honest services of their leaders. Rodríguez-Vélez said the conduct was an affront to voters and the Senate. Luis Fraticelli (FBI San Juan) said the sale of influence will not be tolerated. The case was prosecuted by attorneys Jacqueline Novas and Timothy R. Henwood (USAO-PR) and Matthew L. Stennes (Public Integrity Section); investigated by FBI San Juan. Guilty plea ≠ imposed sentence. Prior charge ≠ final conviction until sentencing. Primary: DOJ 2009-01-21.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2009/January/09-crm-055.html