Today, Sol Luis Fontanes-Olivo, mayor of the municipality of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents for bribery, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

The complaint charging Fontanes-Olivo with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds was authorized last night by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Aida Delgado-Colón.

According to the affidavit there are audio and video recordings of Fontanes-Olivo making arrangements for payments and receiving the same. The bribe payments were picked up by a co-conspirator who in turn delivered the payments to Fontanes-Olivo. The payments were kickbacks corruptly solicited by the mayor in relation to the sale of properties belonging to the municipality. The payments received by the mayor exceeded $50,000.

If found guilty, Fontanes-Olivo could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.