EL VOCERO – February 8, 2018
Despite the fact that the owner of the company Ecolift, Ernesto Di Gregorio, was charged last year over an alleged fraud scheme in the sale of helicopters to the Police Bureau, the executive continues to be investigated by federal authorities in connection with the acquisition of another aircraft by the Department of Health.
EL VOCERO sources confirmed that the probe against Di Gregorio is still standing, but this time in connection with the helicopter acquired by Health under the past administration to be used as an air ambulance, at a cost of $8 million.
According to the sources, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in charge of the investigation, which has been joined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
ICE's press spokesperson, Ivan Ortiz, told this outlet that he could neither confirm nor deny the existence of investigations.
The Office of the Comptroller is also taking part in the investigation, confirmed press spokesperson Lisandra Rivera. She likewise indicated that it has not yet concluded its probe into the purchase of the helicopters for the Police.
“Our investigation into the purchase of the helicopters of the United Rapid Action Forces (FURA) in the Police resulted in the indictment against the businessman; this has still not been completed,” Rivera noted in written statements.
“In addition, we continue working with the federal agencies on the transaction in the acquisition of the helicopter at the Department of Health,” she added. She indicated that as long as the investigating parties do not conclude their work, the Comptroller's reports cannot be published.
EL VOCERO attempted to obtain a reaction from the businessman's defense, but at the close of this edition, it had not returned the call.
Di Gregorio was indicted by a grand jury on August 28, 2017, in connection with the sale of the helicopters to FURA. The indictment was unsealed this past January 12.
The indictment contains charges of wire fraud and aircraft parts fraud. The indictment includes five charges for the smuggling of U.S. merchandise to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service.
The indictment alleges that between February 13, 2014, and September 17, 2014, the defendant designed a scheme to defraud the government of Puerto Rico in the sale of Bell helicopters to the Police, in order to obtain money through fraudulent representation.
The trial against Di Gregorio was set for June 4. In addition, the federal prosecution is seeking a monetary forfeiture of $2,209,967.
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