The Justice Department recommends FEI to popular senator Albert Torres Perios

The Department of Justice Recommended this Friday Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Committee (Opfei) Appointment of Special Independent Prosecutor (FEI) for Senator of Kuyama District, Albert Torres BerriosFor potential violations of special laws and the penal code of Puerto Rico.

Through a press release, the Justice Secretary, Domingo Emmanuel HernandezHe explained that the recommendation takes into account evidence compiled by the Department of Public Integrity and Comptroller Affairs (Dipac) through an investigation conducted in collaboration with the Bureau of Special Investigation (NIE).

According to the official, the investigation was conducted by Alpha M. It began after the allegations were made by Gonzalez Rivera, who reprimanded the first-term lawmaker before the Senate’s Office of Human Resources.

Gonzalez Rivera alleged that Torres Perios retaliated against her for filing a workplace harassment complaint. He pointed out that the legislator used public resources and staff for political party issues and demanded money from his staff to attend to personal matters, among other approaches.

Dibach determined that the evidence obtained during the preliminary hearing supported the fact that the senator had demanded money from the plaintiff’s husband under the pretext of power and intimidation.

In addition, the investigation revealed that Torres Perios asked Agriculture Secretary Ramon Gonzalez Peiro to rescind Gonzalez Rivera’s appointment after receiving a notice indicating that he was subject to an administrative hearing in the Senate after a workplace harassment complaint. The latter is before the human resources office of the organization.

“There is sufficient reason to believe that Senator Albert Torres Perios engaged in criminal conduct. Also known as the Law for the Prohibition and Prevention of Workplace Harassment, amended Act No. By violating Article 7 of 90-2020; Act no. Section 3 of 115-1991, as amended, shall be known as the Act Against Unfair Dismissal or Retaliation against any employee for testifying in a legislative, executive or judicial proceeding; and section 191 of the Penal Code, 2012, extortion”, the Dipac report said.

Gonzalez Rivera, who served as an agronomist for the Department of Agriculture and a key member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Commission, appeared before a judge on March 16 and was interviewed for six hours by attorney Enrique Rodriguez Alamo.

At least two former employees of the senator’s office were interviewed by Rodriguez Alamo or agents of the Bureau of Special Investigations.