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Co-defendants to testify against former Gov. Vila
Several co-defendants in a federal corruption trial against former Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila have agreed to testify against him.Three of five co-defendants reached plea agreements on Friday, days after another co-defendant — former Acevedo aide Eneidy Coreano — agreed to testify and have her charges dropped. The agreements leave Acevedo increasingly isolated ahead of the trial for alleged campaign finance violations. Acevedo, who left office this month after losing a bid for a second term, has no intention of pleading guilty himself and will face trial in February, defense attorney Harry Anduze said. In all, 12 people were indicted along with Acevedo. Along with those entering pleas Friday, one suspect indicated he is planning to plead guilty as did another accused this week. The charges against Acevedo and 12 other defendants stem from an alleged scheme to illegally raise money to pay off more than $500,000 in campaign debts from Acevedo's terms as the island's U.S. congressional delegate from 2000 to 2004. Acevedo has repeatedly asserted that the investigation was politically motivated. Acevedo is the first Puerto Rican governor to face federal charges since the island became a semiautonomous U.S. commonwealth in 1952. He has received more than $300,000 in donations in response to his plea for assistance with attorney fees. Posted by: Fred 2009-01-24 |
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