Puerto Rico Officials Indicted for Wire Fraud and Bribery Scheme

Strategic Insights -

Puerto Rico's Department of Treasury has been severely impacted by a multi-million-dollar wire fraud and bribery conspiracy involving two public officials, ten individuals, and 14 companies. The scheme, which lasted from November 2021 through April 2025, saw officials Javier Relta-Lebrn and Harry E. Muriel-Falero receive payments in exchange for submitting false tax records, causing a total loss of approximately $3.5 million. The indictment, announced on October 23, 2025, charges the defendants with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with individual defendants facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Key Takeaways:

  • The scheme involved two Hacienda officials, defendants Javier Relta-Lebrn and Harry E. Muriel-Falero, who received payments in exchange for submitting false tax records to eliminate and reduce tax debts for various co-defendants.
  • The defendants communicated via WhatsApp and Apple iMessage to coordinate and submit false information to Hacienda in relation to at least 24 personal and corporate accounts.
  • The scheme caused a total approximate loss exceeding $3.5 million.
  • Defendant Relta-Lebrn eliminated and reduced IVU taxes owed by commercial retail establishments, while Defendant Muriel-Falero created false tax credits and eliminated individual income tax debts.
  • The FBI is in charge of the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy is prosecuting the case.
  • If convicted, the individual defendants face up to 20 years in prison.
  • An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Statistics:

  • The scheme caused a total approximate loss exceeding $3.5 million.
  • 24 personal and corporate accounts were affected by the false information submitted to Hacienda.
  • 14 companies and 10 individuals were charged with wire fraud and bribery conspiracy.
  • 2 public officials, defendants Javier Relta-Lebrn and Harry E. Muriel-Falero, were accused of receiving payments in exchange for submitting false tax records.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)