MyDD :: The Other DNC Race: Why Alvaro Cifuentes Must Be Stopped

The Other DNC Race: Why Alvaro Cifuentes Must Be Stopped

by vawolf, Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 12:27:39 PM EST

We all know about the high-profile race for DNC chair, which is turning pretty much into Dean vs. everybody else.

However, a lower profile DNC race is going on for DNC vice-chair. Alvaro Cifuentes, Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus of the DNC, is the current front-runner. He's a popular and successful Hispanic leader within the party. And he must be stopped.

More after the jump.

It pains me to say this because Cifuentes is Puerto Rican like me, but he can't be allowed to rise any further in the party. Why? Simply put, because sooner or later he will be the center of a political scandal that will tarnish the party and all those who've supported him.

Before his meteoric rise within the Democratic Party, Cifuentes was campaign manager and then chief of staff to Gov. Pedro Rossello, who ran the most crooked administration in the history of Puerto Rico. Most of this corruption involved government contractors for so-called "mega projects" of infrastructure either being extorted by, or offering bribes to, members of the administration in exchange for government contracts. The money would go the the pro-statehood New Progressive Party's campaign chest, or directly into the pockets of government and party officials. In all, about 40 members of the administration or the party have been convicted and dozens more stand accused in federal court. In the early years of the administration, Cifuentes was at the center of this: all government contracts had to go through him. He (or Rossello, for that matter) hasn't been accused of anything yet, but it's a matter of time.

The federal investigation that is most likely to bring Cifuentes down is the one about the Puerto Rico Industrial Incentives Fund (PRIIF). The Feds are investigating whether Cifuentes demanded campaign contributions for the Democratic Party during activities sponsored by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company in exchange for being able to deposit their earnings with the PRIFF under section 936 of the US tax code, thereby lowering their tax burden. In the last few days of 2000, $23 million were handed out to companies that had contributed to the fund.

Cifuentes is also being looked at by the Feds for fraud related to the "Superacueduct" project, another huge infrastructure project. According to press reports, Cifuentes received a huge contribution from Thames-Dick Superacueduct Partners in exchange for a contract the build the thing. Cifuentes might already be indicted under seal.

The bottom line: Cifuentes is a scandal waiting to happen, a ticking time bomb that would tarnish the party and its new chairman. If we're for reform, we can't let this guy be second in command at the DNC.

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Permalink :: 5 Comments :: Post a Comment

Does dnc vice-chair do anything? (none / 0)

I don't know anything about him and I'm agnostic whether a scandal (if there should be one) over the vice-chair of the DNC would get anyone's attention outside the blog corps. But besides impending scandal, it sounds like you're saying he's a bad guy. And I wouldn't want a bad guy in power at the DNC (for a change).

So my question is -- does the vice-chair have any power at the DNC?

by emptypockets on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 01:13:00 PM EST

Good question (none / 0)

Dont' know exactly what kinda power the VC has, but I don't want this guy having ANY power in the DNC, however little it may be. What happened in PR was a well-orquestrated corruption scheme led from the top of the party, and he had a hand in that. The party should be investigated under RICO. I don't wanna take the chance with his election just because he'd have little power.

by vawolf on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 01:27:31 PM EST

this happens every time (none / 0)

Puerto Rican politics is full of accusations like this. That's actually how fights happen; Cifuentes hasn't lived in Puerto Rico for ten years, but since he is in favor of statehood, which would raise taxes on a whole range of groups, they are trying to nail him.

This stuff isn't true, but more to the point, we shouldn't allow our democratic choices to be dictated by rumors and innuendo.

I only know Cifuentes a little bit, but he strikes me as honest and a dedicated party builder, and other people I do respect a great deal say as much.

He's headed the Hispanic Caucus for the last three years, and the accusations were floated back then as well. They never amounted to anything because they are baseless.

by Matt Stoller on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 05:55:44 PM EST

response (none / 0)

This is a post by Juan Maldonado, who's standing here with me. He's a friend and ally of Cifuentes:

I have been a member of the Democratic Party since I was in college. I interned at the White House during the Clinton Administration, and now I have my own law firm in Puerto Rico. I'm an active participant in national politics, including the Kerry campaign. I know Alvaro personally and see him as what he is: one of the most influential Puerto Ricans in the United States and one of the greatest Hispanic leaders we have. Since his election as Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus he has increased the party's Hispanic membership by over 30%, and created the Hispanic Summit. He is honest, humble and a family guy who represent the best values of our society. He has been a catalyst in the Democratic Party working to strengthen the grassroots and the party. As a Puerto Rican I feel ashamed that people are trying to trash the image of Alvaro by some unfounded rumors that Alvaro had nothing to do with. They happened so long ago that it's easy to create confusion and smear someone's reputation.

This rumors which also affected former governor Pedro Rosello would have been verified under the last incredibly heated election. That they were not suggests that under even deep scrutiny by their most furious political opponents there is nothing there. This is just an attempt by those who don't want to see Alvaro as the next Vice Chair of our party to discredit his candidacy, because they cannot come up with any better strategy than half truths and innuendos.

by Matt Stoller on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 06:28:34 PM EST

How does the VC race work? (none / 0)

Matt Stoller has provided great insite as to how the DNC chair race works. But if these claims against Alvaro pan out, is there anyone else running against him? Are the Dean wannabes in the running for VC? Anyone know?

Matt: has Alvaro endorsed Simon?

Thanks

by DaveB on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 07:57:38 PM EST

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