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Justice Department Pursues Lenient Plea for Ex-Governor Amid Controversy

7/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Amid bribery allegations, the Justice Department has instructed prosecutors to pursue a lenient plea deal for former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vázquez Garced. This controversial move, perceived as politically charged, enables her and two co-defendants to plead to a misdemeanor, sidestepping prison time and raising alarms about the politicization of justice during the Trump era.

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Story summary

Amid bribery allegations, the Justice Department has instructed prosecutors to pursue a lenient plea deal for former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vázquez Garced. This controversial move, perceived as politically charged, enables her and two co-defendants to plead to a misdemeanor, sidestepping prison time and raising alarms about the politicization of justice during the Trump era.