Barceloneta Contractor Israel Quintna-Luciano Pleads Guilty To Bribery

SAN JUAN, P.R. – Today, Israel Quintana-Luciano, a former contractor with the Municipality of Barceloneta pled guilty to a one count Information charging federal program bribery before the Magistrate Judge Camille Vélez-Rive, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.  At sentencing, set for November 13 at 9:30 am, the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a supervised release term of not more than three (3) years and a $250,000 fine.

On or about January 19, 2012, Quintana met with the planning director of the Municipality of Barceloneta and during lunch provided him with a Christmas card with a  small envelope inside which contained $5,000 in cash.  The purpose of the payment was to expedite contract payments by the Municipality of Barceloneta and ensure continued work with the Municipality of Barceloneta for Cidra Excavation, which at the time had several contracts with the Municipality.  During this time, included the year prior, the Municipality of Barceloneta received over $1,000,000 in federal funds.

“We will continue to prosecute public officials and contractors whose conduct undermines the public's trust in federal, state and municipal government,” said US Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “Contractors who provide public officials with illegal payments contribute to undermining the public trust in local government and the services it provides to its constituents.” 

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel, Charles R. Walsh and was investigated by the FBI.