Puerto Rican governor charged in campaign scam

By John Marino

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Puerto Rican Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila and 12 political associates in the Caribbean island and on the U.S. mainland were charged with election funding fraud in an indictment unsealed on Thursday.

The charges said Acevedo Vila collected illegal contributions and spent far more than he reported during his election campaigns from 1999 to 2004.

A group of Philadelphia-area businessmen solicited contributions from relatives and staff and illegally reimbursed the donors, the indictment alleges. The governor then helped them get government contracts in Puerto Rico, it says.

Before taking office as governor in January 2005, Acevedo Vila was the U.S. territory's resident commissioner, its non-voting representative in the U.S. Congress.

Charges in the 27-count indictment include conspiracy, making false statements to the FBI, wire fraud, defrauding a federal election funding program and tax crimes.

Acevedo Vila, who faces 19 counts, issued a statement saying he would turn himself in on Friday and called the charges politically motivated.

"It's the result of three years of leaks, rumors and a spectacle designed to harm me," said Acevedo Vila, who faces re-election in November.

"Because the federal authorities have decided to stretch their jurisdiction and twist the truth, I am going to defend my rights and protect the dignity of my family and the people of Puerto Rico who support me."