Puerto Rico governor pleads not guilty

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 29 (UPI) -- Puerto Rican Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila pleaded not guilty Friday to corruption charges linked to alleged illegal campaign fundraising.

Acevedo was welcomed by a throng of flag-waving supporters when he arrived at the courthouse Friday to enter his plea, El Nuevo Dia reported online.

The Puerto Rican leader was charged this week with conspiracy, making false statements, wire fraud, federal program fraud and tax crimes related to campaign financing of his 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 campaign for resident commissioner of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and his subsequent 2004 gubernatorial campaign.

Acevedo and co-defendant Luisa Inclan Bird, his legal adviser, allegedly solicited and accepted illegal campaign donations from Acevedo's family and staff.

"Our democratic system cannot function when public officials act as though they are above the law. Public officials must comply with the law and those who do not comply will be held accountable," Luis Fraticelli, special agent in charge of the FBI's San Juan Field Office, said in a news release.