Fernando Tonos returns to the Capitol as legislative adviser to Javier Aponte Dalmau

Former Representative Fernando Tonos, convicted of corruption in 1995 After running a ghost employee scheme in your legislative office, advise the majority spokesperson on the Senate, Javier Aponte Dalmau.

It was showing first lawmaker in Puerto Rico to go to prisonafter pleading guilty to 343 serious charges, for which he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. He spent only one year in prison and the rest on probation. He also had to pay back $ 206,536.

It was Aponte Dalmau himself who was recruiting Tonos into his office at a rate of $ 6,000 a month as an advisor in legislative processes. The hiring comes after the past four years have seen several corruption schemes on Capitol Hill, known as “kickbacks,” and at least two ghost employee schemes.

Well look, he fulfilled many, many years ago. He has been a consultant in several companies and has his business. I believe, in my opinion, that it is a person who has complied with a crime, failed at the time but has the opportunity to make a claim. He is a person with a lot of legislative experience, ”said Aponte Dalmau The new day.

When asked if Tonos recruiting somehow sent the wrong message to the country about how a person convicted of government corruption is rewarded, Aponte Dalmau replied that Tonos has the right to make a living .

“It failed the state at one point, but he’s someone who has a lot to contribute,” replied Aponte Dalmau, who will also have former representative Charlie Hernández as legislative adviser at a rate of $ 5,000 a month. That contract is charged to the Rules and Calendar Commission’s budget, while Tonos’ salary is charged to the budget of Aponte Dalmau’s legislative office.

Aponte Dalmau recalled that it was his father, the late Mayor of Carolina, José Aponte de la Torre, who offered Tonos his first work experience after coming out of prison when the branch president took on a company he worked for.

“After that I had a personal relationship with him, but none at work. It was during this campaign process that he helped me coordinateAponte Dalmau said.

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In an interview with The new day, Assured Tonos that he could have returned to the Capitol much earlier, but he does so to advise Aponte Dalmau because of the bond his family has.

“I have known Javier for many years and also his father. I was able to work with him because my office is in Carolina. There is an emotion in accepting after so many years of returning here and it is that there is a purpose: I helped Javier in the campaign by being representatives and I didn’t work with him because at that point I understood he could move forward. I worked with him on the campaign because he asked me, but it is also a dedication to his father, who told me before his death that I should always keep an eye on Javier.Tonos said.

“I am deeply indebted to him and his family,” he added.

Tonos, chairman of the Housing and Youth Affairs Committees, confirmed that he understands that he enjoys the “love” of the citizens and that he has shown his commitment to the residents of the Carolina Senate District.

He pointed out that his message to the public is to consider why he is returning to the legislature.

“After 25 years of going through that process that I have gone through and that I classify as unfair and without going into merits, the main thing I will come back to here. It’s to contribute my knowledge, give everything and what I’ve done since I came into the legislature, ” he said, arguing that he has a track record helping those in need, especially after the passage of hurricanes Irma and María.

“People know where I was and what I did, what my job and my mission are,” he said. “I want to help the senator and the country… no matter what situation I’ve been through, I’m a person people know,” he said.