It’s been a point of controversy and contention for years: A place that’s gotten some of the most U.S. taxpayer money in history for causes like hurricane relief and rebuilding its electric grid is also known as one of the most corrupt when it comes to how all that cash is spent. Today, we dig deep into Puerto Rico’s unique history of corruption with the federal agents assigned to tackle it.
This is an FBI SWAT team practicing hostage rescue strategies in the mountains above San Juan on the island of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico isn’t just known for its idyllic landscapes and disastrous hurricanes, it’s infamous for its reputation as one of the most corrupt places on the planet. FBI agents here are kept busy working cases where violence and crime frequently link to public officials and political figures.
One needn’t look far to find recent Puerto Rican officials allegedly running cons involving huge amounts of your tax dollars starting with the response to Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The FBI arrested Puerto Rico’s Education Secretary and five others in an alleged scheme to funnel millions in relief funds to certain contractors, which they deny.
Also arrested: a Federal Emergency Management Agency official accused in a $1.8 billion bribery scheme. She denies it; a colleague pleaded guilty.
Puerto Rico’s last governor, Wanda Vasquez, was among officials accused of mismanaging earthquake relief supplies.
Arrested in other recent corruption probes: a group of eight including a Puerto Rico Senator; and two members of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. All say they’re innocent.
Rafael Riviere: It doesn’t have to be only hurricane relief money. It happens now with the pandemic relief money, every time that the government wants to get money fast to people. It’s like the processes are not set in place. We don’t take the time to set up processes in place. And I think that creates opportunities.
Rafael Riviere says corruption is a well-known way of life in Puerto Rico.
Riviere: We like to do real life scenarios.
I spoke with him shortly before he retired as FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Juan field office.
Riviere: We’re a colony from Spain. And then even when the United States came in, the way Puerto Rico was looked at was like, you know, the position in the Caribbean, kind of like how we could help the United States, but it’s not incorporated in the same way that a different state would be.
Sharyl: You were born in Puerto Rico?
Riviere: Yes, I was. So growing up here, people, I don’t think we saw as corruption. It was just way of doing business, honestly. And that’s part of the problem. Because it’s kind of the culture. And when we’re looking at the elected officials, ‘Oh, they should know better.’ But, when we look at somebody that might work in a particular department of the government that they might facilitate a permit, I’m like, ‘Well, this is the way we do it, this person will always bring me baskets of flowers or whatever, and of course, I put him at the front of the line.’ Or ‘he gives me this money on the side so I speed up the process, but that’s, what’s wrong with that?’ And we’re trying to change that.
Puerto Rico has earned its notoriety with some of the FBI’s biggest cases of public officials and police on the take. Felix Alvarado is a top FBI agent over public corruption.
Felix Alvarado: We’ve had in 2001, for example, we had Operation Honor Perdido. It’s called Lost Honor in Spanish.
Operation Lost Honor resulted in the arrests of dozens of police. At trial, jurors were shown video of a Puerto Rico Police evidence technician advising an undercover agent to murder a deadbeat dealer.
Alvarado: Then we had operation Dark Justice where we had a group of police officers, about 11 police officers, six former police officers, that were arrested for kidnapping and other crimes.
But even those cases were soon eclipsed by another.
Sharyl (on-camera): The biggest police corruption case in FBI history happened right here in Puerto Rico in 2010, Operation Guard Shack. Hundreds of FBI agents were brought to the island to take down a staggering number of law enforcement officials.
Alvarado: We had Operation Guard Shack, which is very well known by now where police officers were calling what they thought was drug dealers making transactions, either they were participating as sort of bodyguards or helping them out transport drugs from one point to another
Riviere: We found out one of them was selling like crack cocaine, or distributing it. And we asked him through our sources to purchase certain amount, it was like a thousand caps or something. And this guy came in uniform on the police motorcycle, and opened up the, they call it the trunk or whatever, and pulled them out like nothing. And then in the middle of a parking lot in a shopping center and a part of me is like, I’m kind of freaking out here to tell you the truth. And it was kind of like, ‘Hey yeah, here you go, this is what you asked me for.’ And he was fully uniformed.
Sharyl: What does that tell you?
Riviere: Probably, he didn’t see any risk. ‘Hey this is what we do, it’s normal, people do it,’ you know?
Another police evidence officer got caught on tape bringing along her young child while she was selling confiscated weapons on the black market.
Riviere: So one of the sources that we’re working with agree to purchase a couple of weapons, and she shows up and then gets in the car with him. And she has her child on her lap. And she’s pulling this weapon from this bag. And you know, we have a camera in the car, of course. So we see the kid watching her passing guns to him, a couple of guns like it was like normal, again, no shock value and ‘This is what I do.’
In all, 500 FBI employees and 50 SWAT teams were brought to Puerto Rico to make more than 130 arrests. That was 2010. To this day, Operation Guard Shack remains the FBI’s largest one-day take-down, and the biggest corruption case in its history.
Today, the FBI SWAT team is always on standby, and under Riviere’s tenure, a third team was added under the heading of public corruption. Several dozen agents are split into three squads targeting crooked elected officials, police and correctional officers, and judicial corruption.
Riviere says the FBI enjoys a special confidence among the locals and that despite Puerto Rico’s reputation and history, there are plenty of honest people doing the right thing.
Riviere: Just because we arrested 10 cops, that doesn’t mean the police of Puerto Rico is a problem. They have 10 cops that were a problem. I feel like our mission here, it might look different if you compare it to the other offices, but this is what we do. We have a little more exposure because people expect a lot of us, and they know that when there’s a case, or there’s a situation or corruption issue, the FBI is involved. People have a lot of trust in us here, which is great. It makes our job easier.
Sharyl (on-camera): By the way, just before Christmas, Puerto Rico’s former education secretary Keleher, who was getting a $250,000 a year salary, was sentenced to six months in prison on two corruption charges.
Keleher is from Philadelphia, by the way…
Let me know if you will be interested in a true situation about a family of 4 in Puerto Rico held 100+ days in their rental to be killed for identity theft. There is no police protection, because the police, local ,federal, us military and government are involved. This police officer hacked 4 phones,damaged 3 computers with ramsomware and he is logged on now reading this. Police corruption and fraud. His name is Miguel Garcia of San Antonio Police Dept in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I found him logged on my email account. You can contact me for a story . People who come here to retire are getting identity theft and murdered . The criminals keep collecting your benefits after you are deceased. Tell everyone.
Police Misconduct Title 42,1983, 242, Title 18 Violent Crime Puerto Rico
There is a Facebook page that complains about Police Misconduct Title 42 Section 1983 ,Title 18 14141, Violent Crime 1994 is not enforced in Puerto Rico today, because there is no police protection on the entire island for Plaintiff victims if they pursue their Civil rights in a court of law. Puerto Rico wants to be a state, but it cannot enforce Federal laws and protection for civilians living on the island, or visiting. See the Facebook
Page link below. There is not a lawyer existing today that is available to represent a victim who has been abused, murdered, human rights,violated by corrupt police or army reserve officers.
https://m.facebook.com/policiainepta/?wtsid=rdr_0SGuy1VllxDP1RadM
Special Note: The Puerto Rico Police is very vindictive and if you are just visiting the island they would not follow up on your complaint. If you are residing in the island there had been documented cases in which they have use threats or cause physical injuries to complainants in some instances commit murder. For your protection we recommend sending the complaint in writing via CERTIFIED MAIL to both of this addresses:. I have a Police Misconduct cases in Puerto Rico. 939-279-8465. The above warning is happening to a family of 4 held 100+ days in a rental home by a police officer/ army reserve. No police protection. Marlene Lamb right We are unprotected with death threats, at the address of 2292 Miguel Caban Lopez, San Antonio, in Aguadilla Puerto Rico. The police officer is Miguel Garcia of San Antonio Police Dept in Aguadilla, Pr. 787-890-2020.
Along with neighbors and criminal associates. He is also Army Reserve. Please help us. Thanks
There has been no change since my last post. I also want to make it clear,that I have many friends and relatives who are police officers and in th US military. I have never had any problems until now. Also Puerto Rico is a beautiful place, with wonderful people here. I have seen many good things the government and federal agencies have done. I have many friends and relatives that are in government,federal and judicial systems in the Main US. There is no judgement on the country as a whole,which is unfair for me to say. A few corrupted ones makes it bad for others who are doing good things. All we can do is pray for the best.
These are an update of my situation. Thanks for allowing me to post. I need help.
I reported these events, to proper authorities with no results. These are Police Misconduct Criminal. These are occuring since We have been held 8’months now. I cannot replace my devices, or replace my cell phones. They will be immediately disabled. I am not allowed to communicate with anyone, a right to an attorney without the presence of Police Misconduct Criminal, Puerto Rico government, federal agencies observing me and my family. The only devices I have are occupied by the above and the criminal organizations . see Twitter@LambrightMm. I have been trying to get help for months. Thank you for being interested to help. If I were to be able to file,I can only email whomever will be able to help. We are cut off from civilization.
These are emails that I had sent to authorities here in Puerto Rico. I have not heard from anyone since my first post.
On the date of June 19th, 2023 evening, another continuous attempt of first degree murder by the above to
Named. Yellow white phosphorus fumes were released in the bathroom window coming from
2294 Miguel Caban Lopez St. The residence of Miguel A Gonzalez. Miguel Acevedo is a chemist. When are you going to arrest these people? There are constant attempts to murder me and my family,with deadly fumes constantly blowing in this home. If not by pLumbing pipes extended in the backyard,or blowing through the doors and windows.
I will file another terrorism report with the attempts of first degree
Second plea for a response, again hearing from no one.
Good morning, Again, there are fumes making us sick,coming from the addresses that we are in between . I heard Miguel Garcia instruct the house next door 2290 Miguel Caban Lopez to blow fumes to make us sick. Then the other side of us is doing also. 2294 Miguel Caban Lopez. We are in the middle : 2292 Miguel Caban Lopez. I have asthma, and all know it. My family does not know that I am complaining. Please arrest Miguel Garcia . He is still logged on and is reading this now. Arrest his helpers,too. Thank you.. Attempted murder. Thank you, Marlene Lambright
Misconduct Criminal Miguel Garcia and criminal organization
Puerto Rico and USVI Environmental Crimes Task Force
Here is the link to this new law. Please post this information, where people can report violations.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/puerto-rico-and-usvi-environmental-crimes-task-force
Puerto Rico and USVI Environmental Crimes Task Force
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, United States Attorney Delia Smith for the District of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), and Chief Deborah Harris of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crime Section announced, along with multiple federal law enforcement Special Agents in Charge, the formation of a Puerto Rico and USVI Environmental Crimes Task Force (Task Force) to investigate and prosecute violations of federal law harming the environment, wildlife and human health, and associated fraud, waste, and abuse.
http://www.justice.gov
I filed my complaint,I will update you if the action that is promised takes place. DOJ, FBI, And EPA are not responding. Retaliation and death threats, no police protection. Call 787-766-5656 or 202-225- 2615 to ask why we are not being protected?
Puerto Rico and USVI Environmental Crimes Task Force
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, United States Attorney Delia Smith for the District of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), and Chief Deborah Harris of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crime Section announced, along with multiple federal law enforcement Special Agents in Charge, the formation of a Puerto Rico and USVI Environmental Crimes Task Force (Task Force) to investigate and prosecute violations of federal law harming the environment, wildlife and human health, and associated fraud, waste, and abuse.
http://www.justice.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office, along with our federal and local partners, is committed to enforcing environmental laws. Our goal is to ensure that all our citizens receive protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play and work,” said U.S. Attorney Delia Smith for the USVI.
Environmental justice and ensuring that all residents of Puerto Rico enjoy a healthy environment free of hazardous waste and other pollutants is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “This Task Force will combine and leverage resources from many federal agencies to aggressively enforce civil and criminal environmental laws.”
my complaint unresolved:
Confirmation Received Aug 6, 2023 at 9:04pm
Suspected Violator’s Name *Miguel Garcia,Miguel A Gonzalez, Miguel Acevedo ,Carmen Torres ,Angel Roman.
Suspected Violation Location *2290 and 2294 Miguel Cabin Lopez St ,San Antonio,PR 00690 ,General Badillo and Miguel Cabin Lopez Suspected Violation City *San Antonio Suspected Violation State *Puerto Rico Suspected Violation ZIP Code *00690ResponsiblePartyIndividualIs the suspected violation still
occurring? Date of Incident Aug 6, 2023. Characterized incident as: Intention *Intentional Violation Method *Release Affected Subject(s)Land, Water, Air
Violation Description*I reported this to proper authorities with no results.These are Police Misconduct Criminal events occurring since We have been held 8 months at this rental home. See @LambrightMm ( Twitter) I cannot replace my devices, or replace my cell phones. I have a photo of the extended pipe from the back yard of2290 Miguel Caban Lopez. Miguel Garcia disabled the phone and I cannot provide it at this time. They will be immediately disabled. I am not allowed to communicate with anyone, a right to an attorney without the presence of Police Misconduct Criminal,Puerto Rico government, federal agencies observing me and my family. The only devices I have are occupied by the above and the criminal organizations . I have been trying to get help for months. We are cut off from civilization. See below,previous complaints that are not resolved.On the date of June 19th, 2023 evening, another continuous attempt of first degree murder to a family of 4. My family does not know what is happening. Yellow white phosphorus fumes were released in the bathroom window coming from 2294Miguel Cabin Lopez St. The above date is just one of the 100 incidents the past 2 years It has occurred last night and going forward tonight,with other illegal chemicals or war agents.The residence of Miguel A Gonzalez. Miguel Acevedois a chemist. There are constant attempts to murderme and my family,with deadly fumes blowing 24/7.Gas chamber methods,drops in buckets or extended pipes directed on all sides of the rental home. If notby plumbing pipes extended in the backyard,or blowing through the doors and windows.fumes making us sick,coming from the addresses that we are in between . On many occasions, I heardMiguel Garcia who is a police officer / US Army. Reserve (463 Victoria St,San Antonio, PR. 00690 787-890-2020) instruct the house next door 2290 Miguel Caban Lopez to blow fumes to make us sick. Then the other side of us is doing also. 2294 Miguel Caban Lopez. We are in the middle : 2292 Miguel Caban Lopez. ( our address) I have asthma. This is a criminal organization, and he is directing deadly harm to a family of 4. There is a field in the rear that belongs to a resident on Tamarindo Street. There are dangerous fumes ,gas chamber effect Holocaust fumes also with the intent to kill,disable making us sick. My family does not have experience in recognizing chemicals or chemistry, I do. There are
men in the field at night,flashing lights of agriculture machines, shining them directly toward and around the house. I saw Angel Roman poured chemicals on the front of the sidewalk and drive way of the rental.There is a long pipe in the yard of 2290 Miguel Cabin Lopez St, pointed directly at the windows of thishouse right now. Also this long pioe was used to spray antifreeze at our rental coming from 2290Miguel Caban Lopez. Please read the Twitter posts and list of names of a criminal organization attempting to murder a family of 4. Please notify DOJ Merrick Garland and FBI Chris Wray. The FBI andDOJ here in Puerto Rico are closed. I have filed complaints online since January 2023. No one responded from these agencies. This is an emergency, I will review the steps to contact National Response. I wanted to provide the identity of the criminals murder for hire that is in progress and directed at a family of 4 24/7. Please send someone to write up a report,arrest these people. I need this information to file complaints in court and for civil and human rights violations.
Since filing this report, Miguel Garcia is attached to all of my devices,along with government, public officials, some federal agencies employees that are corrupt, Police agencies that there are corrupt people as well. The list on Twitter, all are in a criminal organization. We are to be murdered,A family of 4,with no police or federal protection for 8months. Rep Jennifer Gonzalez knows we are here. There are others in the government here and the main US that know we are here. I want this published so that there are arrests made for our deaths. I have other things to post. Thanks for allowing me. Marlene Lambright
There is a Facebook page that complains about Police Misconduct Title 42 Section 1983 ,Title 18 14141, Violent Crime 1994 is not enforced in Puerto Rico today, because there is no police protection on the entire island for Plaintiff victims if they pursue their Civil rights in a court of law. Puerto Rico wants to be a state, but it cannot enforce Federal laws and protection for civilians living on the island, or visiting.
See the Facebook
Page link below. There is not a lawyer existing here in PR today that is available to represent a victim who has been abused, murdered, human rights,violated by corrupt police or army reserve officers. I read and found this information on this Public page someone posted. Although all police officers are not criminal or corrupt,the officer listed below is based on what we are experiencing now in the “Special Note,” listed below…quoted by FB page.. I sent my complaints #750 in April with no response by email and completed an online in April 2023 (no response 5 months)
https://m.facebook.com/policiainepta/?wtsid=rdr_0SGuy1VllxDP1RadM
Special Note: The Puerto Rico Police is very vindictive and if you are just visiting the island they would not follow up on your complaint. If you are residing in the island there had been documented cases in which they have use threats or cause physical injuries to complainants in some instances commit murder. For your protection we recommend sending the complaint in writing via CERTIFIED MAIL to both of this addresses..quote from the above facebook link..
I have a Police Misconduct Criminal complaint to file in United District Court of Puerto Rico. The above warning is happening to a family of 4 held 100+ days in a rental home by a police officer/ army reserve. ( now 9 months) (cameras,drones and listening devices installed around the property by Miguel Garcia and criminal organizations.)No police protection. No federal protection. We are unprotected with death threats, at the address of 2292 Miguel Caban Lopez, San Antonio, 00690 in Aguadilla Puerto Rico.
The police officer is Miguel Garcia of San Antonio Police Dept. #463 Victoria St, in Aguadilla, Pr. 00690 787-890-2020. He is also US Army Reserve (Fort Buchanan Guaynabo PR. 787-707-6596. He is logged into all of my devices,I attached a document for review. Here is his Computer ID 5TQHRV7: MAC address: EC:55: F9 : B4: B7: C9: Email: Miguel.Garcia @outlook.com, or [email protected]. Miguel Garcia and a criminal organization (see @ LambrightMm Twitter for some of his accomplices,there are many more unknown)I found Miguel Garcia logged onto my devices,email accounts,Covid19 federal funds applications. He has access to federal funding systems in US government.
I notified Rep Jenniffer Gonzalez (202) 225-2615) as directed by many resources advised. DOJ,FBI,DHS, many other federal and local, with no response. Rep Gonzalez’s staff advised by her, directed me to contact the Russel House in Washington (202) 224-3151). Russell House referred me back to her,because she is assigned Puerto Rico. He made a record and said he would tell Congress of the matter. He was given information and wanted to follow up. All of my devices,phone (939-279-8465) Internet modems are cloned ,calls are redirected. Or blocked,and recorded occupied by Miguel and and his criminal organizations. Our computers are disabled by ransom ware and viruses,our cell phones were cloned and shutoff.We attempted to activate replacement phones,they were disabled,shutdown again. I filed many complaints and reports in regard to the appropriate authorities with no results.
Twitter is not updated,but since then, the cyber attacks,loss of cell phones ,Covid19 federal funds identity theft,loss of computers,etc. Courtesy of Miguel Garcia and criminal organizations. This group is reading all communications, right now, as they are attached to all devices we own. I had tried to replace then only to be shut down,cloned or some are completely disabled with ransom ware.
In January after losing use of our vehicle due to murder for hire hit,as described @LambrightMm Twitter, FBI Agent Gibaldi called from a private number. He questioned who was in the home,does the kids have cell phones,and he found nothing so far. Then shortly after, we lost all of our cell phones. We heard from no one else 9 months now. I have attached documents that verify the identity of Miguel Garcia logged in my emails and I provided his device identity . I am employed, (contracts) enrolled in college and cannot work or access due to loss of needed devices( blocked illegally from working and continuing college.) Password Spray,cyber attacks on personal websites,loss of privacy,illegal surveillance, identity theft, Loss of vehicle and transportation for daily use and errands,a freedom illegally seized.
( a right to see doctors,dental,medical,needed medicines,physical therapies,I am handicapped using walkers and canes ) Also other family members are affected,with these illegal loss of normal freedoms. We are experiencing long term affects of physical,psychological and mental injuries. We are constantly exposed to chemicals blowing in the rental home, 24/7. We are under Murder for hire contracts payable and ordered by Miguel Garcia,Miguel A. Gonzalez,and Carmen Torres / and daughter,a police officer driving the AAA water construction vehicle that blocked and filmed the (vehicle) transaction to load to the dark web. I reported all of these incidents to the proper authorities with no results. Please call to ask why are we still in this for the past 9 months? I’m sure they know we are here. Complaints have been filed. I can resend requested documents. AG Muldrow (787) 766-5656; AG Garland (202) 514-2000; Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez (202) 225-2615; Russell House (202) 224-3151; ( proof of record) Call FBI Joseph Gonzalez (787) 981-6500; Why has Miguel Garcia and his criminal organizations are not arrested? I am requesting AG Muldrow to file Title 18 241/242 immediately. Arrest these criminals.
The most recent regards a new law in Puerto Rico. See the complaint attached. It was filed August 6th with no results. We are to be murdered by Miguel Garcia and his criminal organizations. @LambrightMm. We are exposed to war agents and other chemicals that are life threatening to animals and humans, 24/7.
Regards,Marlene Lambright. The only phone I have is 939-279-8465. If you call be aware,that Miguel Garcia and his criminal organizations,and some are government employees,will be on the call. You will be recorded..illegal surveillance. Miguel Garcia just deleted emails illegally I have sent to the Pentagon today. He has access to government and federal funds systems. He is a threat to the us government infrastructure using cyber attacks and Ransom Ware.
Obstruction of justice. My email was blocked/taken while I was in the process of sending requested documents for a criminal investigation of Miguel Garcia and his criminal organizations. ([email protected]) Microsoft reported that malware/spam, (possibly Ransom Ware) was maliciously sent to all email addresses of my account. Multiple complaints have been filed,and we are still held now for ten months in this rental home.The police officer is Miguel Garcia of San Antonio Police Dept. #463 Victoria St, in Aguadilla, Pr. 00690 787-890-2020. He is also US Army Reserve (Fort Buchanan Guaynabo PR. 787-707-6596. He is logged into all of my devices,I attached a document for review. Here is his Computer ID 5TQHRV7: MAC address: EC:55: F9 : B4: B7: C9: Email: Miguel.Garcia @outlook.com, or [email protected]. Miguel Garcia and a criminal organization (see @ LambrightMm Twitter . Please arrest him today,along with his criminal groups.Thank you
Still here after 1 year and 8 months. No wonder. The criminals described in all posted below are relatives of the Puerto Rico police commissioner Lopez and Secretary Alex Torres. They are protecting the criminal organization the are part of. Today we refilled our propane with Rodriguez gas. If there’s an accident, all of he above and below listed are responsible
1 year and 8 months. No wonder. The criminals described in all posted below are relatives of the Puerto Rico police commissioner Lopez and Secretary Alex Torres. They are protecting the criminal organization the are part of. Today we refilled our propane with Rodriguez gas. If there’s an accident, all of he above and below listed are responsible.
See https://sharylattkisson.com/2022/01/watch-puerto-rico-corruption/
A year and 8 months. No wonder. The criminals described in all posted below are relatives of the Puerto Rico police commissioner Lopez and Secretary Alex Torres. They are protecting the criminal organization the are part of. Today we refilled our propane with Rodriguez gas. If there’s an accident, all of he above and below listed are responsible.
See https://sharylattkisson.com/2022/01/watch-puerto-rico-corruption/
s. They are protecting the criminal organization the are part of. Today we refilled our propane with Rodriguez gas. If there’s an accident, all of he above and below listed are responsible.
See https://sharylattkisson.com/2022/01/watch-puerto-rico-corruption. We are currently being chemically poisoned by these people at 2290 and 2294 Miguel Cabin Lopez, see the posts. The police commissioner and Secretary are members of a criminal organization led by Miguel Garcia,the officer I filed my complaint against.Violation of title 21 856 nd 860. All of the addresses are maintained described in the law. We are being murdered by poison in food purchases such as from the Big China restaurant on 110. There are murder for hire people trying to get a hit and get paid. The tire shop man on Tamarind gave us laced avocados