Convicted businessman Oscar Santamaría has requested permission from the Federal Court in San Juan to travel outside of Puerto Rico following the completion of his prison sentence.
Santamaría Completes Sentence, Seeks Family Visit
According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons database, Santamaría completed his 20-month sentence on Monday, having been sentenced by Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach in March of 2024 to a 30-month term. His sentence was reduced as he began serving a three-year period of supervised release on December 22nd.
The day after beginning supervised release, Santamaría’s legal representation filed a motion requesting permission for him to travel to Colorado with his wife and children between January 1st and January 10th for a “family reunification trip.” The motion stated that Santamaría has been separated from his family since his imprisonment, and the separation has been difficult for all involved, with the trip intended to begin “healing the trauma” of that separation.
Federal prosecutors have indicated they do not oppose the requested travel, provided Santamaría adheres to all conditions imposed by Pretrial Services and the court.
A History of Corruption and Cooperation
Santamaría’s sentence also included a $100,000 fine and a $6 million confiscation order, issued by the court in May of 2024. Court documents detail Santamaría’s involvement in corruption schemes with multiple municipalities, including Cataño, Guaynabo, Aguas Buenas, Trujillo Alto, and Humacao.
Santamaría pleaded guilty in 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and illegal kickbacks. As part of the agreement, he was not prosecuted for multiple schemes in various municipalities in exchange for his cooperation with authorities in investigations that led to the conviction of mayors and other officials.
During his sentencing hearing, the judge noted that while Santamaría possessed the skills and experience to earn an honest living – holding two bachelor’s degrees, a law degree, and a master’s degree – he had “all the tools to move forward with honesty.” The judge also highlighted Santamaría’s prior contracts with various government agencies while engaging in corrupt activities.
Santamaría admitted to paying $2,000 weekly to the then-mayor of Cataño, Félix “El Cano” Delgado, between 2017 and 2021. During this period, his companies secured over $39 million in contracts with that municipality, with two other companies receiving $584,830 and over $7 million respectively.
Central Figure in Municipal Schemes
Santamaría was identified as a “leader” in municipal corruption schemes, according to a motion filed by convicted contractor Mario Villegas Vargas, who implicated his former partner, Raymond Rodríguez of JR Asphalt. Villegas Vargas’s defense explained that Rodríguez and Santamaría devised a plan to secure government contracts through bribery and illegal commissions paid to a wide range of political candidates from both major parties.
The motion further alleged that before 2017, the pair created a network of businesses and professionals to provide Santamaría with large sums of cash for political contributions, ensuring favorable contract outcomes.
Santamaría also admitted to his first bribery relationship with Luis Arroyo Chiqués while he was mayor of Aguas Buenas. Notably, the then-mayor of Cataño secretly recorded their illegal interactions, which became key evidence for federal authorities. Delgado began cooperating with investigators in 2020.
In May 2021, Santamaría was presented with evidence of his illegal activities by federal agents and given two hours to consider a guilty plea. He subsequently agreed to cooperate, including recording the delivery of cash envelopes to the then-mayor of Guaynabo, Ángel Pérez, and providing key testimony in Pérez’s trial, which resulted in a five-year prison sentence for the former mayor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges was Oscar Santamaría convicted of?
Oscar Santamaría was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and illegal kickbacks.
What is the status of Santamaría’s legal situation now?
Santamaría has completed his prison sentence and is currently under three years of supervised release. He has requested permission to travel to Colorado for a family visit.
Did the prosecution object to Santamaría’s travel request?
No, the prosecution indicated they do not oppose the travel request, provided Santamaría complies with all conditions set by the court and Pretrial Services.
As Santamaría awaits a decision on his travel request, it remains to be seen whether the court will grant him permission to reunite with his family. What impact might this decision have on public perception of justice in these corruption cases?
