Former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced is set to receive a pardon from former President Donald Trump. The decision comes as she pleaded guilty to lesser charges in a federal corruption case last year. Additionally, two co-defendants, Julio Martin Herrera-Velutini and Mark Rossini, will also be pardoned for their involvement in the bribery scheme.
Background of the Case
The trio was originally charged in 2022 with multiple offenses, including conspiracy and federal programs bribery, related to Vázquez’s 2020 campaign. All three defendants entered guilty pleas to reduced charges in August 2022, after striking a deal with the Justice Department as trial dates approached.
Legal Representation
Chris Kise, one of the defense attorneys involved in the case, previously represented Trump against criminal charges regarding classified information retention. Kise reportedly intervened with Justice Department officials, advocating for a dismissal or reduction of the charges against Vázquez and her co-defendants.
Justice Department’s Shift
The Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, which was responsible for prosecuting this case, faced significant changes in 2022. Just before trial, the department sought to downgrade Vázquez’s more severe charges, which raised concerns from the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll. The judge commented that the reduced charges resulted in minimal penalties compared to the initial allegations.
Political Context
The investigation into Vázquez began shortly after her endorsement of Trump in 2020. This timing has led some Trump officials to label the prosecution as politically motivated. Anonymous White House sources indicated that Vázquez’s pardon materials assert there was no quid pro quo involved in her case.
Impact of the Public Integrity Section’s Changes
The Public Integrity Section was established in response to the Watergate scandal, tasked with overseeing politically sensitive prosecutions. However, recent changes diminished its effectiveness, resulting in the reallocation of prosecutors and a shift in the department’s approach to ongoing cases.
Recent Pardons by Trump
In recent years, Trump has pardoned several individuals linked to corruption cases that the Public Integrity Section had previously prosecuted. Notable pardons include:
- Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar
- Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada
- Former Tennessee state lawmaker Brian Kelsey
- A former Virginia sheriff
- A Las Vegas councilwoman
Conclusion
Wanda Vázquez Garced’s pardon is part of a broader pattern of pardons initiated by Trump, raising questions about the implications of such decisions on political accountability and corruption in public office.
