The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted a prominent Puerto Rican lawmaker, her husband, son, and assistant for their alleged participation in a years-long theft, bribery, and kickback scheme.
María Milagros Charbonier, better known as “Tata”, is a member of the Puerto Rican House of Representatives whose politics have been described as “extremely religious regressive.” After the Supreme Court recognized same sex marriage in 2015, she led an unsuccessful campaign to keep it illegal in Puerto Rico. Whenever a so-called “religious freedom” bill is moving through the House, Charbonier is sure to be one of the driving forces.
We admit it’s been a while since we read the whole bible, but we’re pretty sure enlisting your family and assistant in a scheme to steal from taxpayers has to break a commandment or two.
Charbonier is accused of inflating her assistant’s salary, paid for by the commonwealth, over several years. Her assistant would then provide a kickback to either Charbonier’s husband, Orlando Montes-Rivera, or adult son, Orlando Gabriel Montes-Charbonier.
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Via a statement released by the DOJ:
In early 2017, Charbonier inflated her assistant Acevedo’s salary from $800 on a bi-weekly, after-tax basis to $2,100; this amount increased to nearly $2,900 by September 2019. Out of every inflated paycheck, it was agreed that Acevedo would keep a portion, and kick back between $1,000 and $1,500 to Charbonier, Montes, and Montes-Charbonier.
“When elected officials betray the people’s trust in order to enrich themselves at the public’s expense, the Justice Department will hold them accountable,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Charbonier was also indicted for obstruction of justice.
More from the release:
After learning of the existence of the investigation into illegal activities in her office and after learning that a warrant had been obtained for one of her phones, Charbonier allegedly proceeded to delete certain data on the phone. In particular, Charbonier deleted nearly the entire call log, nearly all WhatsApp messages, and nearly all iMessages associated with this phone, the indictment alleges.
jonasalden
Now what sucks is that critics of support for Puerto Rico-like the ones after their hurricane-will cite this as evidence of them as a lost cause. The damage they’ve done, and for what? A LITTLE BIT of money?
Tonyi1234
This is exactly my takeaway from this story of greed. It will damage the cause, for such a small return.
jayceecook
Does “Tata” mean something significant in Puerto Rican culture? Cause in one of mine it means dad/father; though sometimes used for grandfather as well if they are the head of the family.
scotty
this is a time honored tradition in PR as well as lots of other places too.
Cam
At what point does media start to admit that right wing religion has become a scam to shield theft and fraud?
Den
That point would be “never.”
The mainstream media will always consider corruption among those who claim to be people of faith as an anomaly. And while that is kinda-sorta true, the more vocal and visible people are about their faith, the more likely they are to be hypocrites and corrupt. But the media will not go there!
James
she is evil
rsatl222
Gluttony is a sin also since she is so religious
Dymension
Uh, yes, stealing is in the ten commandments.
Onecaddy13
WOW! For a few lousy bucks, the whole family is off to jail. This trio of thieves Definitely need to do some jail time, I’m not interested in her political or religious beliefs but concerned for the taxpayers that footed the bill. She’s repulsive, loathing and when it finally sinks in what she did as well as her family, she’s going to realize 100k is not a lot of money. Average honest hard working people make that in 2-3 yrs. I always wonder what their extended family thinks when one of they’re own goes to college, becomes a lawyer and then ends up a felon?
winemaker
Sounds just like the liberals in California. if you don’t believe this, how does ‘nasty’ nancy’ ‘pigliosi’ been able to amass a fortune of over 200 million dollars on only $175 thousand dollars yearly without underhanded deals and bribes? The same can be said for dianne ‘frankenstein’ feinstein. if you don’t believe this you’re clueless or can’t do simple math.
Invader7
@winemaker or should I say WHINEmaker.. Miss Pelosi and Feinstein have husbands who have profited off the system,just like a LOT of republiCONS have /are doing rightr now. But when republiCONS do the SAME EXACT thing , that’s free enterprise, an example of an American economic system “success” story. Let’s ask how did the Bushes, Reagans, et al have all amassed FORTUNES while working in the government ? And you and your ilk didn’t question them? HYPOCRITE much? Let’s call out allof them.. while we’re at it..But NO.. that makes people like uncomfortable and MAKES people like you QUESTION the double standards. You’re a ” Don’t do as I do, do as I say.”
Invader7
Rot in jail you CRUNT !!!