Man faces charges for misappropriating PUA funds using police officer’s social security number

The Economic Crimes Division of the Justice Department filed eight counts Friday against a man accused of illegally embezzling thousands of dollars by requesting and cashing a check from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA). using a state agent’s Social Security.

Furthermore, according to research, Gilberto Millan Torres40 years he used four other Social Security numbers make fraudulent requests for financial assistance under the PUA.

Total, the defendant illegally embezzled $10,740, according to the indictment. Officer Carlos Fernández Cruz, from the bank fraud and robbery division of the police, was in charge of the investigation.

Prosecutor María Teresa Carro Lahongrais showed up against Millán five counts of possession and transfer of false documents, one count of misappropriation of identity, one count of fraud, and one count of misappropriation of public fundsas typified in Articles 182, 209, 202(b), and 217 of the Puerto Rico Penal Code.

“The five complaints were filed with the name of Millán Torres, his driving license number and his physical address. One of the social security numbers that Millán used belongs to a police officer, assigned to the Hormigueros Barracks, who is a victim of the illegal plan,” explained prosecutor Carro Lahongrais.

Judge Glen Velázquez Morales, of the San Juan District Court, determined the cause of arrest of Millán Torres for all the crimes charged and set a $64,000 bond, which he could not pay.

If found guilty on all counts, the man is exposed to a 15-year prison sentence in a penal institution.