SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Two cousins of Puerto Rico’s Gov. Pedro Pierluisi pleaded guilty Thursday for embezzling an estimated $3.7 million in federal funds earmarked for the management of public housing on the island.
The fear of possibly higher power bills prompted many to join Wednesday’s protest, including Rev. Lizzette Gabriel, bishop of Puerto Rico’s Methodist Church. Many in Puerto Rico also are outraged about the proposed increase given ongoing power outages blamed onthat was not properly maintained and has not been rebuilt since Hurricane Maria ravaged the U.S. territory in September 2017. Power outages were reported across the island on Wednesday amid heavy rain and lightning produced by a strong tropical wave in the region.