Looks like stormy weather in Puerto Rico.

LAW

FBI Arrests Former Top Puerto Rico Officials In Government Corruption Scandal

July 11, 20196:13 AM ET

Bobby Allyn

BOBBY ALLYN

This is an exerpt;

"U.S. authorities have unsealed a corruption indictment against two former top officials in Puerto Rico for directing some $15.5 million in contracts to favored businesses, allegedly edging out other firms for the lucrative government work despite allegations of being unqualified.

The two former Puerto Rico leaders — Julia Keleher, who was the secretary of the island's department of education before stepping down in April, and Ángela Ávila-Marrero, who led Puerto Rico's Health Insurance Administration until last month — were arrested by FBI agents on Wednesday.

Prosecutors wrote in the indictment that the conspiracy involved the two former public officials giving four associates an inside track to contracts."

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/11/740596170/fbi-arrests-former-top-puerto-rico-officials-in-government-corruption-scandal

1) Several former top Puerto Rica Officials arrested: >>13976

2) Governor of Puerto Rico Ricardo Rossello caught up in a chat group text scandal (with other officials), which caused several resignations over the weekend and protests which have gone on for days:

Leaked conversations spark protests against Puerto Rico governor

Jul. 16, 2019 - 2:02 -

Protestors demand Gov. Ricardo Rossello step down for the so-called 'Rickyleaks' scandal; David Spunt reports.

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6060014544001/#sp=show-clips

3) Protests calling for Governor to step down, caused cruise ship cancelation:

BY @DOCTORSANTINI VIA STORYFUL

Royal Caribbean International canceled one of its cruise ship’s stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday due to ongoing protests against the governor that have roiled the capital city.

The Port Authority of Puerto Rico announced Tuesday afternoon that the Miami-based cruise corporation had canceled its San Juan port visit. A spokesman for Royal Caribbean confirmed that the ship will be docking in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, instead.

“In light of current unrest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we have canceled today’s call to San Juan,” said Royal Caribbean spokesman Owen Torres. “Empress of the Seas has been re-routed to Tortola, and our guests will receive refunds for prepaid shore excursions. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make adjustments as necessary to ensure the safety and security of our guests and crew.”

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article232741422.html

>>14037

POLITICS

JULY 13, 2019 / 8:57 PM / 3 DAYS AGO

Top Puerto Rico officials resign in group chat scandal that ensnares governor

By Luis Valentin Ortiz

An excerpt:

"Two of the 12-member group chat - Secretary of State Luis Rivera Marin and Christian Sobrino, the island’s chief financial officer and Rossello’s representative on Puerto Rico’s federally created fiscal oversight board - left the government following Saturday’s release by Puerto Rico journalist group Centro de Periodismo Investigativo of 889 pages of text messages.

They show how Rossello and his closest advisors, including former and current public officials, public relations operatives and the governor’s former campaign manager, exchanged memes, derogatory, misogynistic and homophobic comments, as well as jokes about journalists, politicians and activists in a Telegram group chat. The messages further include public policy discussions, sharing of confidential government information and political campaign work, despite the presence of individuals who were not public officials at the time."

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-puertorico/top-puerto-rico-officials-resign-in-group-chat-scandal-that-ensnares-governor-idUSKCN1U9010?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FPoliticsNews+%28Reuters+Politics+News%29