Governor pleads not guilty to fraud
Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila surrendered to U.S. authorities and pleaded not guilty to campaign finance fraud charges as hundreds of flag-waving supporters demonstrated outside the federal courthouse in San Juan.
The governor was released on his own recognizance after his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Margaret Kravchuk, who was brought to the island from Maine to oversee the case.
Prosecutors unsealed 19 criminal charges Thursday against Acevedo Vila, leader of the Popular Democratic Party. He is accused of collecting illegal donations, spending more than he reported to federal elections regulators and using campaign money for personal expenses.
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