Puerto Rico Mayor’s Offices, City Officials Raided By FBI

Jim Satney October 16, 2018

FBI agents raided San Juan’s municipal building Tuesday afternoon as part of an investigation into city officials and Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz. Cruz, along with the officials, is accused of squandering city money.

Journalist Luis Guardiola posted the video on his Twitter account, noting that “dozens” of agents participated in the raid.

Decenas de agentes del FBI ocupan el 15to piso de la Torre Municipal. Asi llegaron esta mañana los federales. pic.twitter.com/z3h1CObwLp

— Luis Guardiola (@GuardiolaTwitt) October 16, 2018

An FBI spokesman told a local news service that the raid was part of an investigation into whether or not city officials took “bribes” from BR Solutions for a favorable 2-year contract worth almost $5 million.

FBI agents gather outside of elevators before raid.

Leonel Pereira O’Neill, the owner of BR Solutions, is a donor for many political campaigns, including the embattled mayor, Carmen Yulín Cruz.

“The raid helps us to confirm whether the allegations of irregularities are substantiated or not,” FBI spokesman Carlos Osario told elnuevodia.com.

“We are filling out a search warrant, looking for documents and evidence that can support the allegation,” he continued.

Pictured: Embattled mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

President Trump notoriously accused Cruz and other officials of misplacing blame on his administration for a “slow response” to Hurricane Maria’s devastation. Trump’s rhetoric has some believing the raid to be inspired by the President.

Cruz confirmed the raid on Twitter and said that she’s complying with the investigation.

“At the moment, members of the FBI are intervening in the Municipal Tower of San Juan. My instructions as always are of total collaboration,” Cruz wrote in Spanish on Twitter.

“At this time, I do not have more information. We all have the duty to collaborate to clarify this situation. If someone has done something wrong, must be subjected to a due process and face the consequences of their actions, ” she added.