Former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, a figure once celebrated for her leadership during one of the island’s most turbulent periods, has now made history for a very different reason. On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Vázquez became the first governor of Puerto Rico to be convicted of a crime, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation in a federal case that has gripped the territory for years. The case, which also ensnared a former FBI agent and a Venezuelan banker, marks a dramatic turn in the career of the former New Progressive Party leader.
Vázquez’s day in court unfolded in the U.S. District Court in Hato Rey, where she arrived after three years under indictment. According to The Star, she told reporters she felt at peace despite the ordeal. “I trusted the people that were near me and who knew about politics and now I am here taking responsibility for them,” she said, her voice steady but solemn. The case against her had been a cloud over her legacy since 2022, when federal authorities arrested her on charges far more severe than the one she ultimately admitted to—conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud.
But in a plea agreement brokered in Washington, D.C. this past June, those more serious charges were dismissed. Instead, Vázquez accepted guilt for accepting a political donation from a foreigner, a misdemeanor. The amount in question, according to her lawyer Ignacio Fernández de Lahongrais, was “more than $2,000 and less than $25,000,” a sum that, while illegal, paled in comparison to the original allegations. The plea deal, as outlined by her legal team, means she will likely face six months to one year of probation when sentenced on October 15, 2025.
Federal Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll presided over the hearing, ensuring that Vázquez fully understood the process and the charge against her. With the aid of a language interpreter, Vázquez responded to the judge’s queries and, when shown the plea agreement, agreed to its terms. “Yes, your honor,” she replied, making her guilt official. The agreement includes a waiver: Vázquez cannot appeal the sentence if convicted under federal guidelines. The judge also confirmed that the agreement had been discussed at length with her attorney, leaving little doubt that Vázquez was making the decision knowingly and voluntarily.
“There was no bribery here, I didn’t take a single cent, I didn’t have any political advisers here, I didn’t have any polls. None of that happened,” Vázquez insisted, seeking to clear her name of the more damning accusations, as reported by The Star. Her lawyer echoed this sentiment, stating that she felt “vindicated” because all charges except the misdemeanor had been dropped. The defense maintained that their own investigation found the more serious allegations to be unfounded.
The case, however, is not solely about Vázquez. It also involves former FBI agent Mark Rossini and Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini, both of whom, according to the Associated Press, were also slated to plead guilty to related charges. The original indictment painted a complex picture: from December 2019 through June 2020, Vázquez was alleged to have engaged in a bribery scheme with Herrera Velutini, Rossini, and others to finance her 2020 gubernatorial campaign. The scheme, as described by prosecutors, revolved around Herrera Velutini’s bank, which was under examination by Puerto Rico’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF). Through intermediaries, Herrera Velutini and Rossini allegedly promised to fund Vázquez’s campaign if she would terminate the OCIF commissioner, George Richard Joyner, and appoint a replacement more favorable to their interests.
But, as the defense and court records confirm, that action—removing the commissioner—never actually took place. In the end, the plea agreement replaced the original charges of conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud with a single count of accepting pledges of contributions from a foreigner to a political campaign. This significant reduction in charges, as Vázquez’s attorney emphasized, positions her crime as less serious under federal law, with the statute allowing for the possibility of probation rather than prison time.
The saga has raised uncomfortable questions about the influence of foreign money in Puerto Rican politics and the vulnerability of public officials to the pressures of campaign fundraising. According to the indictment, the events began in 2019, when Herrera Velutini’s bank came under scrutiny by OCIF. The alleged plot, which involved several intermediaries including Frances Díaz and John Blakeman, was to secure campaign funding for Vázquez in exchange for regulatory favors. Ultimately, the plan unraveled, leading to high-profile arrests and a protracted legal battle that has only now reached its conclusion.
For many Puerto Ricans, the case is a stark reminder of the challenges the island faces in rooting out corruption and restoring trust in government. Vázquez’s rise to power came at a time of crisis, following the resignation of her predecessor amid mass protests. Her tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize the government and address the island’s ongoing economic woes. Yet, as this case demonstrates, even leaders who come to power on a wave of public demand for reform are not immune to the temptations and pitfalls of politics.
Vázquez’s conviction also puts a spotlight on the broader issue of campaign finance in U.S. territories, where oversight can be patchy and the lines between legal and illegal contributions sometimes blurred. The involvement of a former FBI agent and a foreign banker only adds to the intrigue, suggesting a web of influence that extends beyond Puerto Rico’s shores. The plea deal, reached after three years of legal wrangling, was designed to avoid a lengthy and potentially damaging trial. As her lawyer explained, the agreement followed a thorough investigation that found the original charges to be unsupported by the facts.
In the end, the case against Vázquez is as much about perception as it is about legal guilt. While she has admitted to a campaign finance violation, she has steadfastly denied the more serious allegations, insisting that she never accepted bribes or engaged in a quid pro quo. The court, for its part, has accepted her plea and is expected to impose a sentence of probation rather than jail time. For Vázquez, the ordeal is nearing its end, but the questions it raises about the integrity of Puerto Rican politics—and the influence of outside money—are likely to linger.
As the October sentencing date approaches, the island waits to see what consequences, if any, will ripple out from this unprecedented case. For now, Wanda Vázquez Garced’s story stands as a cautionary tale for politicians everywhere: even the highest office does not grant immunity from the law.
