P.R. governor faces new charges

SAN JUAN, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Puerto Rico's governor, a senior aide and a former campaign director were indicted in San Juan Tuesday for wire fraud and money laundering.

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila, 46, a Democrat; Luisa Inclan Bird, 47, of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and Miguel Nazario Franco, 61, of San Juan were named in the five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury.

Tuesday's indictment follows an earlier indictment returned March 24, which charged the same defendants and others with related crimes.

The U.S. Justice Department said the allegations are focused on two related courses of conduct: In counts one through four, the department alleges that during his campaign for governor, and continuing after he was elected and inaugurated, Acevedo Vila and others connected with his campaign solicited and received about $250,000 from a local businessman, referred to as "Collaborator 18," for the benefit of Acevedo Vila and his campaign.

The indictment also alleges that during his term as governor, Acevedo Vila participated in official actions intended to aid the business interests of Collaborator 18, while failing to disclose the nature and extent of his financial relationship with the businessman.

Count five alleges the defendants conspired to conduct financial transactions with the illegal funds provided by Collaborator 18.