Guide Note

Anibal Acevedo Vila is the current governor of Puerto Rico. He has been under investigation by a United States Federal Grand Jury since late 2006 over potential campaign finance fraud. He was formally charged with 19 criminal counts in 2008, though he was not arrested. Five new charges were added on August 19, 2008, including four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.¹

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Aníbal Salvador Acevedo Vilá
2. Born: February 13, 1962 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
3. Political party: Popular Democratic Party
4. 8th Governor of Puerto Rico
5. Assumed office: January 2, 2005
6. Previously represented Puerto Rico in the U.S. House of Representatives
7. Alma mater: University of Puerto Rico
8. Earned a law degree from Harvard University
9. Opposes Puerto Rican statehood
10. Under investigation for campaign finance fraud since 2006
11. Formally charged for 19 criminal counts in 2008²
12. Was not arrested
13. Trial expected to take place in February 2009¹
14. Running for reelection in November 2008¹

On March 28, 2008, Acevedo was charged with 19 criminal counts as a result of a campaign finance probe. The investigation began in 2006, and charges included conspiracy to violate U.S. federal campaign laws and giving false testimony to the FBI. Acting U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez said, "The governor will be permitted to turn himself in deference to his position."²

12 other officials from the Popular Democratic Party have also been indicted for conspiracy to illegally raise money to repay campaign debts from Acevedo's 2000 U.S. Congressional campaign.

Puerto Rico | FBI