Puerto Rican kingpin case plea bargaining stands, but new elements surface: official

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Domínguez on Monday denied a violation of the plea bargaining provisions between money laundering convict Sobeida Felix and the National District Office of the Prosecutor, which reduced the prison term from five years to 30 months.

He said Felix’s agreement with former National District prosecutor Alejandro Moscoso was made within the law, of which U.S. and Puerto Rico authorities were made aware.

He said the case of Puerto Rican kingpin Jose Figueroa Agosto has been jointly managed with the U.S. authorities and the main case is handled in Puerto Rico. "It was a deal within the framework of the law by former prosecutor Moscoso Segarra, because they were elements conducted jointly with authorities in Puerto Rico and wasn’t something unilateral."

He said in a few days he’ll address new elements which have surfaced in the case, regarding the people who protected Figueroa, both military and civilian.

Dominguez stressed that Sobeida’s plea bargaining was only with the National District Office of the Prosecutor and no other jurisdictions, referring to the convict’s request for parole to the San Cristobal Sentencing Judge.

He clarified that the new elements arising in the case where involving military and civilians were prior statements Sobeida Felix Morel and which gave details about the agreement reached.

Dominguez, speaking at the National Altar during a floral offering to mark Day of the Judiciary, declined comment on Felix’ affirmation that opposition PRD party president Miguel Vargas received at least US$300,000 from the Puerto Rican drug lord for his presidential campaign in 2008.