Telegramgate

On July 8, 2019, a small segment of Telegram chat messages between Ricardo Rosselló and various members of his cabinet, former advisors, and former campaign managers were leaked and spread by the local press.{{cite web|last=Acevedo|first=Nicole|date=July 15, 2019|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/what-s-behind-puerto-rico-s-protests-scandal-here-s-n1031486|title=What's behind Puerto Rico's protests, scandal? Here's 5 things to know.|accessdate=July 22, 2019|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904080513/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/what-s-behind-puerto-rico-s-protests-scandal-here-s-n1031486|url-status=live}} The full 889-page copy of the conversations was published July 13, by local investigative news agency Puerto Rico Center for Investigative Journalism.{{cite news|last1=Robles|first1=Frances|last2=Rosa|first2=Alejandra|date=July 22, 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/us/puerto-rico-protests-politics.html|title='The People Can't Take It Anymore': Puerto Rico Erupts in a Day of Protests|accessdate=July 22, 2019|work=The New York Times|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722225638/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/us/puerto-rico-protests-politics.html|url-status=live}}

Among those identified in the chat logs are:

• Ricardo Rosselló, Governor of Puerto Rico
• Christian Sobrino, governor's representative to the PROMESA board
• Ramón Rosario, Secretary of Public Affairs of La Fortaleza (governor's residence)
• Elías Sánchez, 2016 political campaign director, lobbyist
• Rafael Cerame, communications consultant
• Carlos Bermúdez, communications consultant
• Ricardo Llerandi, Chief of Staff to the governor
• Alfonso Orona, legal counsel to the governor
• Anthony Maceira, Secretary of Public Relations
• Edwin Miranda, publicist, founder of the advertising agency KOI{{cite web|url=https://caribbeanbusiness.com/puerto-rico-ad-agencies-association-suspends-koi/|title=Puerto Rico Ad Agencies Association suspends KOI|date=July 15, 2019|website=Caribbean Business|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718200645/https://caribbeanbusiness.com/puerto-rico-ad-agencies-association-suspends-koi/|url-status=dead}}
• Raúl Maldonado Gautier, Secretary of Treasury
• Luis G. Rivera Marín, Secretary of State

The chat messages were found by the general public to be vulgar, homophobic and racist and described as a "bro" culture among the group. Chat members referred to New York City Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito as a "whore", made homophobic remarks about Ricky Martin, and called San Juan mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz "una tremenda HP [hija de puta]" - {{Translation|"a total daughter of a bitch"}}. The chats revealed plans to control the media and smear political opponents, and Rosselló shared confidential state information with the non-government officials in the chat.

Other parts of the conversations joked about the death toll from Hurricane Maria. When interviewed by Democracy Now on July 23, 2019, Carla Minet from the Puerto Rico Center for Investigative Journalism stated that it was those jokes that were particularly painful as many Puerto Ricans had been unable to properly bury their dead in the chaotic days that followed Hurricane Maria, and reading chats where the governor mentioned "cadavers", and did not stop others from joking about the dead, was seen as an unforgivable betrayal.{{cite web|title=How "Ricky Leaks" Exposed Puerto Rico's Governor and Sparked a Movement to Oust Him|newspaper=Democracy Now|date=July 23, 2019|via=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkYkdOMS8p8|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227145941/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkYkdOMS8p8&gl=US&hl=en&has_verified=1&bpctr=9999999999|url-status=live}}

File:Ricardo Rosselló.jpg in April 2019]]

After Raúl Maldonado Gautier vacated his post, Rosselló nominated Francisco Parés Alicea to the position of Secretary of Treasury on July 1, who was functioning as interim at the time and as assistant secretary of internal revenue prior to taking over as interim. He was confirmed by the Senate a week later and assumed office on July 22, the day after Rosselló announced his resignation as governor. Prior to the full log's publication, on July 10, 2019, a 32-count federal indictment resulted in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arresting six people, including two former high-ranking Puerto Rico government officials who served in Rosselló's government, on charges of conspiracy and other crimes in connection with millions of dollars in federal Medicaid and education funds. Rosselló was vacationing in France at the time of the leaks on July 11, which forced him to return to the island.{{cite web|title=Llega a la isla el Gobernador Ricardo Rosselló|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2019/07/11/llega-a-la-isla-el-gobernador-ricardo-rossello.html|website=Metro PR|date=July 11, 2019|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=es|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719151126/https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2019/07/11/llega-a-la-isla-el-gobernador-ricardo-rossello.html|url-status=live}}

Several members of Rosselló's cabinet, who were involved and part of the chat log conversations, resigned following its publication of the document. Luis Rivera Marín and Christian Sobrino resigned from their positions in the government on July 13;{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-puertorico-idUSKCN1U9010|title=Top Puerto Rico officials resign in group chat scandal that...|date=July 14, 2019|publisher=Reuters|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724003818/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-puertorico-idUSKCN1U9010|url-status=live}} In addition, press secretary Dennise Peréz resigned on July 19,{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/PR-Govs-Press-Secretary-Resigns-Amid-Chatgate_Miami-512976582.html|title=PR Gov's Press Secretary Resigns Amid 'Chatgate'|website=NBC 6 South Florida|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=July 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720202532/https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/PR-Govs-Press-Secretary-Resigns-Amid-Chatgate_Miami-512976582.html|url-status=live}} and chief of staff Ricardo Llerandi followed suit on July 23.{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5675490/puerto-rico-chief-of-staff-resigns/|title=Puerto Rico governor's chief of staff resigns amid 'Chatgate' scandal|last=Bello|first=Marco|date=2019-07-23|website=Global News|agency=Reuters|access-date=2019-07-24}} On July 17, the Puerto Rico Department of Justice ordered that all participants be interviewed and have their phones inspected.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/17/us/puerto-rico-protests/index.html|title=Puerto Rico protesters are clearing the streets after a night of demonstrations included police firing tear gas|first1=Nicole|last1=Chavez|first2=Eliott C.|last2=McLaughlin|first3=Leyla|last3=Santiago|first4=Mayra|last4=Cuevas|first5=Meridith|last5=Edwards|publisher=CNN|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721175907/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/17/us/puerto-rico-protests/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://pix11.com/2019/07/17/puerto-ricos-justice-department-summons-officials-involved-in-homophobic-and-misogynistic-chats/|title=Puerto Rico's justice department summons officials involved in homophobic and misogynistic chats|date=July 17, 2019|agency=CNN Wire|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721175915/https://pix11.com/2019/07/17/puerto-ricos-justice-department-summons-officials-involved-in-homophobic-and-misogynistic-chats/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/5408978/|title=Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rossello will not seek reelection|date=July 21, 2019|website=ABC7 Chicago|agency=Associated Press|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721175616/https://abc7chicago.com/5408978/|url-status=dead}} The FBI would neither confirm nor deny that it is investigating those involved. On July 19, the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico formed an impeachment committee, its members being three attorneys appointed by House leader Carlos "Johnny" Méndez, to consider whether Rosselló committed impeachable offenses based on the chat log.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/us/puerto-rico-protests-friday/index.html|title=Impeachment committee forms in Puerto Rico as protesters call for Gov. Rosselló to resign|first1=Mayra|last1=Cuevas|first2=Dakin|last2=Andone|first3=Amir|last3=Vera|publisher=CNN|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=July 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720202542/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/us/puerto-rico-protests-friday/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/puerto-rico-impeachment-committee-forms-as-protesters-call-for-gov-rossell%C3%B3-to-resign/ar-AAECewp|title=Puerto Rico: Impeachment committee forms as protesters call for Gov. Rosselló to resign|publisher=MSN|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904080513/https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/puerto-rico-impeachment-committee-forms-as-protesters-call-for-gov-rossell%C3%B3-to-resign/ar-AAECewp|url-status=live}} On July 23, a judge issued an order requiring all participants in the conversation to surrender their phones, which were then seized.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/23/us/puerto-rico-cellphone-warrants.html|title=Puerto Rico Authorities Seize Cellphones Connected to Online Chat That Triggered Uprising|work=The New York Times|date=July 23, 2019|accessdate=July 24, 2019|first1=Frances|last1=Robles|first2=Patricia|last2=Mazzei|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723235247/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/23/us/puerto-rico-cellphone-warrants.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-rico-protests-ricardo-rossello-government-officials-ordered-by-judge-to-surrender-cellphones-today-2019-07-23/|title=Puerto Rico officials tied to online chat ordered to surrender cellphones|publisher=CBS News|date=July 23, 2019|accessdate=July 24, 2019|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723212023/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-rico-protests-ricardo-rossello-government-officials-ordered-by-judge-to-surrender-cellphones-today-2019-07-23/|url-status=live}} On July 24, the committee recommended five articles of impeachment against Governor Rosselló.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-legislature-begin-impeachment-process-against-gov-ricardo-rossell-n1034046|title=Puerto Rico Legislature to begin impeachment process against Gov. Ricardo Rosselló|first=Nicole|last=Aceveco|date=July 24, 2019|accessdate=July 24, 2019|work=NBC News|archive-date=July 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724205544/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-legislature-begin-impeachment-process-against-gov-ricardo-rossell-n1034046|url-status=live}} On July 28, the Secretary of Public Affairs, Anthony Maceira, resigned.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/28/puerto-rico-chaos-governor-apparent-wanda-vazquez-doesnt-want-job/1852293001/|title=Puerto Rico chaos: Governor-apparent Wanda Vázquez doesn't want the job|last=Bacon|first=John|date=2019-07-28|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2019-07-29}}

On July 21, Rosselló announced that he would not seek re-election in the 2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election, but he initially refused to resign as governor. He also announced his resignation as President of the New Progressive Party.{{cite web|title=Uncovering the roots of fury in Puerto Rico with Julio Ricardo Varela: podcast and transcript|website=NBC News|date=30 July 2019|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/uncovering-roots-fury-puerto-rico-julio-ricardo-varela-podcast-transcript-ncna1036116|access-date=25 August 2019|archive-date=August 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825032310/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/uncovering-roots-fury-puerto-rico-julio-ricardo-varela-podcast-transcript-ncna1036116|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/puerto-rico-governor-announces-he-will-not-seek-re-election-but-refuses-to-resign|title=Puerto Rico governor announces he will not seek re-election but refuses to resign|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=December 21, 2017|accessdate=2019-07-22|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722165840/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/puerto-rico-governor-announces-he-will-not-seek-re-election-but-refuses-to-resign|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/puerto-ricos-governor-facing-calls-to-resign-wont-seek-re-election-11563752275|title=Puerto Rico's Governor, Facing Calls to Resign, Won't Seek Re-Election|first=Andrew Scurria and Arian|last=Campo-Flores|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 21, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722181030/https://www.wsj.com/articles/puerto-ricos-governor-facing-calls-to-resign-wont-seek-re-election-11563752275|url-status=live}} However, three days later, Rosselló announced that he would resign as governor, effective August 2, 2019, at 5:00{{nbsp}}p.m. AST, and was to be replaced by Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez Garced,{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/embattled-puerto-rico-gov-ricardo-rossello-resigns-amid/story?id=64527153|title=Embattled Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello resigns after weeks of protests|first1=Mark|last1=Osborne|first2=Joshua|last2=Hoyos|first3=Meghan|last3=Keneally|date=July 24, 2019|accessdate=July 24, 2019|work=ABC News|archive-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725050612/https://abcnews.go.com/US/embattled-puerto-rico-gov-ricardo-rossello-resigns-amid/story?id=64527153|url-status=live}} who, at the time, was the next eligible cabinet member to become Rosselló's successor; most of Rosselló's immediate cabinet members had either resigned or were relieved of their positions by Rosselló. As Treasury Secretary, Pares Alicea would have been next to succeed, but he did not meet the required minimum age of 35, in which case, the next in line was Secretary of Justice Vázquez Garced, who announced in a tweet that she was not interested in becoming governor and that she hoped Rosselló appointed someone before his last day.

Before Rosselló's resignation was effective, he announced his nomination of Pedro Pierluisi to the position of Secretary of State on July 31, with the intention of having him succeed the office of Governor of Puerto Rico.{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/rosselloseleccionaapierluisicomosecretariodeestado-2508955/|title=Ricardo Rosselló selecciona a Pedro Pierluisi como secretario de Estado|date=July 31, 2019|accessdate=July 31, 2019|work=El Nuevo Día|archive-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731153545/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/rosselloseleccionaapierluisicomosecretariodeestado-2508955/|url-status=live}} Pierluisi was sworn in the same day{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/01/us/puerto-rico-governor-secretary-of-state-thursday/index.html|title=Puerto Rico's next governor could be a woman. She doesn't want the job but she says it's her duty|author=Nicole Chavez|website=CNN|date=August 2019|access-date=August 1, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802053623/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/01/us/puerto-rico-governor-secretary-of-state-thursday/index.html|url-status=live}} while a new document with an additional 100 pages of the controversial chat was released by journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto. The very next day, August 1, the Senate of Puerto Rico denied Pierluisi confirmation before Rosselló's resignation, thus preventing him from becoming acting governor.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Puerto-Rico-Governor-Successor-Delayed-513504261.html|title=Puerto Rico Still Unsure Who'll Be Governor Within Hours|first=Dánica|last=Coto|website=NBC New York|date=August 2019|access-date=November 29, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802184354/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Puerto-Rico-Governor-Successor-Delayed-513504261.html|url-status=live}} Pedro Pierluisi previously served as Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico during the administrations of Luis Fortuño (2009–2013) and Alejandro García Padilla (2013–2017), and served as Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico during the Pedro Rosselló administration (1993–1997). Pierluisi was Ricardo Rosselló's former adversary in the 2016 primaries of their party, which resulted in Rosselló's victory over Pierluisi as the New Progressive Party's nominee for Governor of Puerto Rico in the 2016 general elections. Pierluisi would eventually win the 2020 primaries for the New Progressive Party and be elected Governor of Puerto Rico in the 2020 general elections.

After confirmation hearings, Pierluisi was confirmed as Secretary of State by House of Representatives on August 2; the Senate still had to conduct a ratification to confirm Pierluisi as secretary of state. However, he was sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico on August 2, at 5:00{{nbsp}}p.m. AST, immediately after Rosselló's term ended, despite not being confirmed by the Senate. He did so relying on a law that stated that when the legislature is on recess, any nomination is legitimate until the legislature goes back in session. As a result, the President of the Senate, Thomas Rivera Schatz, challenged the legitimacy of his ascent to office in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-ricos-senate-files-lawsuit-to-oust-pedro-pierluisi-as-successor-to-governor-ricardo-rossello/|title=Puerto Rico's Senate files lawsuit to oust newly sworn-in governor|website=CBS News|date=August 5, 2019|accessdate=6 August 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214175341/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-ricos-senate-files-lawsuit-to-oust-pedro-pierluisi-as-successor-to-governor-ricardo-rossello/|url-status=live}} Protests continued, with their main focus shifting to calling for Pierluisi's resignation.{{cite web|url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/protestan-frente-a-la-fortaleza-contra-pierluisi-por-v-nculo/article_89ea3e22-b6cf-11e9-8997-572852de07e7.html|title=Protestan Frente a la Fortaleza contra Pierluisi por Vínculos con AES|date=August 4, 2019|accessdate=6 August 2019|language=es|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904080404/https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/protestan-frente-a-la-fortaleza-contra-pierluisi-por-v-nculo/article_89ea3e22-b6cf-11e9-8997-572852de07e7.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/manifestantes-le-piden-la-renuncia-a-pedro-pierluisi/article_1d21364c-b580-11e9-9cf7-cbe3b7501d82.html|title=Manifestantes le piden la renuncia a Pedro Pierluisi|date=August 2, 2019|accessdate=6 August 2019|language=es|archive-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806010758/https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/manifestantes-le-piden-la-renuncia-a-pedro-pierluisi/article_1d21364c-b580-11e9-9cf7-cbe3b7501d82.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/nota/protestancontrapierluisiyriveraschatz-1356761/|title=Protestan contra Pierluisi y Rivera Schatz|accessdate=6 August 2019|language=es|date=August 5, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806010759/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/nota/protestancontrapierluisiyriveraschatz-1356761/|url-status=live}} The Supreme Court then ruled his ascent to power unconstitutional. Afterwards, the then-Secretary of Justice, Wanda Vázquez was sworn in as the new governor of Puerto Rico, becoming the second woman to assume the office and the first person to take over the position by succession and not by a democratic election.

In July 2019, among calls for her husband to resign due to a scandal stemming from his involvement in the incriminating group chat, his wife, First Lady Beatriz Rosselló, was criticized for her management of Unidos por Puerto Rico ({{Translation|United for Puerto Rico}}), a non-profit organization she created after Hurricane María which had been under investigation by the FBI. The First Lady had pointed out as having delayed the distribution of disaster relief supplies. In August 2018, at least 10 trailers which held these supplies were found abandoned in a lot near a state election office; according to The New York Times, they had "broke[n] open and became infested by rats".{{cite web|last1=Robles|first1=Frances|date=August 10, 2018|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/us/puerto-rico-aid.html|title=Containers of Hurricane Donations Found Rotting in Puerto Rico Parking Lot|accessdate=August 21, 2020|work=The New York Times|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828230925/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/us/puerto-rico-aid.html|url-status=live}} A spokeswoman for the elections commission said the offices were being used as a storage point at the request of the First Lady. Raúl "Rauli" Maldonado Nieves, the son of former Treasury Secretary Raúl Maldonado Gautier, claimed to have been present in a meeting in which Ricardo Rosselló demanded an amendment to an audit report into the containers as, according to Maldonado Nieves, the report would have "affected" the First Lady. The FBI opened an investigation into the finances and donation requests of Unidos por Puerto Rico to handle Hurricane Maria-related donations.{{cite web|last1=Correa Velázquez|first1=Melissa|date=July 16, 2019|url=https://www.elvocero.com/ley-y-orden/apunta-el-fbi-a-unidos-por-puerto-rico/article_4ed8e534-a77c-11e9-a7e0-ff53b7a5f82b.html|title=Apunta el FBI a Unidos por Puerto Rico|accessdate=August 21, 2019|work=El Vocero|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914180736/https://www.elvocero.com/ley-y-orden/apunta-el-fbi-a-unidos-por-puerto-rico/article_4ed8e534-a77c-11e9-a7e0-ff53b7a5f82b.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=July 16, 2019|url=https://www.notiuno.com/noticias/gobierno-y-politica/fbi-investiga-finanzas-y-donativos-de-unidos-por-puerto-rico/article_8981b898-a7b1-11e9-b05c-eb94a569a238.html|title=FBI investiga finanzas y donativos de Unidos por Puerto Rico|accessdate=August 21, 2019|work=NotiUno|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716151239/https://www.notiuno.com/noticias/gobierno-y-politica/fbi-investiga-finanzas-y-donativos-de-unidos-por-puerto-rico/article_8981b898-a7b1-11e9-b05c-eb94a569a238.html|url-status=live}} Unidos por Puerto Rico, which received $41 million in donations, was run for a time by Jorge del Pino, brother-in-law of lobbyist Elías Sánchez, who was also involved in the group chat scandal.

On August 28, 2020, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Government Ethics Office announced the investigation into the leaked 889-page chat dialog between Rosselló and members of his cabinet was completed. The investigation, which began on July 15, 2019, was closed due to inability to authenticate evidence, an essential element for the imputation of unethical conduct, rendering impossible for the administrative prosecution of its participants. As part of the investigation process, the ethics office's lawyers interviewed seven witnesses, including chat participants, and six affidavits were taken. Additionally, two other chat participants were contacted, but declined to cooperate with the investigation.

Witnesses that were interviewed admitted the instant-messaging application Telegram was the main form of communication between Rosselló and members of his cabinet but declined to authenticate the content of the leaked document, expressing malevolous alterations were presented on it. The ethics office's lawyers attempted to prove the authenticity of the content of the conversations through a certification request to the instant-messaging company itself, but were unsuccessful; the company is limited to release information on suspicion of terrorism to relevant authorities, such as IP address and telephone number, and not the content of conversations. The Department of Justice of Puerto Rico was also asked to cooperate in providing extracted information from cell phones of some of the chat's participants, with the purpose of obtaining unaltered and authentic content directly from the source, but was not shared due to the criminal investigation they're still conducting.{{cite web|date=August 28, 2020|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2020/08/28/etica-archiva-investigacion-chat-telegram.html|title=Ética culmina investigación sobre chat de Telegram|accessdate=September 3, 2020|work=Metro Puerto Rico}}{{cite web|date=August 28, 2020|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/la-oficina-de-etica-gubernamental-cierra-la-pesquisa-sobre-el-chat-de-telegram-sin-sanciones/|title=La Oficina de Ética Gubernamental cierra la pesquisa sobre el chat de Telegram sin sanciones|accessdate=September 3, 2020|work=El Nuevo Día|archive-date=September 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904015325/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/la-oficina-de-etica-gubernamental-cierra-la-pesquisa-sobre-el-chat-de-telegram-sin-sanciones/|url-status=live}}

On November 10, 2020, special prosecutors handed their investigation into the Rosselló administration's involvement in the chat scandal to the Special Independent Prosecutor's Panel, after ten days of redacting the document.{{cite web|date=November 10, 2020|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2020/11/10/fiscales-especiales-entregan-al-panel-del-fei-informe-chat-rossello.html|title=Fiscales especiales entregan al panel del FEI informe sobre el chat de Rosselló|accessdate=November 25, 2020|work=Metro Puerto Rico}} The Panel submitted their evidence to the Institute of Forensic Sciences. The Institute's detailed analysis concluded that the PDF document purporting to be a transcript of the Telegram chat "is not an original, that it is not a complete document, and that it has been modified."{{cite web|date=November 23, 2020|url=http://panelfei.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Resoluci%C3%B3n-del-Panel-In-Re-Ricardo-Rossell%C3%B3-Nevares-et-al.pdf|title=Resolución del panel in re Ricardo Rosselló Nevares et al.|accessdate=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621194821/http://panelfei.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Resoluci%C3%B3n-del-Panel-In-Re-Ricardo-Rossell%C3%B3-Nevares-et-al.pdf|url-status=live}}

Ultimately, on November 24, 2020, the panel determined that criminal elements were not set up in the crimes that were described in the report, due to lack of evidence to sustain the accusations, adding that there were no loss of public funds or damage to public property. The panel also didn't find that the content of the chat led to carrying out a crime.{{cite web|date=November 25, 2020|url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/ricardo-rossell-reacciona-a-determinaci-n-del-fei-sobre-chat/article_df4d404e-2eba-11eb-938c-6b05c3f6e4b3.html|title=Ricardo Rosselló reacciona a determinación del FEI sobre chat|accessdate=November 25, 2020|work=El Vocero de Puerto Rico|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125011547/https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/ricardo-rossell-reacciona-a-determinaci-n-del-fei-sobre-chat/article_df4d404e-2eba-11eb-938c-6b05c3f6e4b3.html|url-status=live}}

File:PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL OF PUERTO RICO 2019.webm on July 21, 2019]]

Protests calling for the governor to resign began upon his return to Puerto Rico from France on July 11, 2019, and continued as of July 22. A July 17 protest in Old San Juan had an attendance of 500,000 people at its peak.{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/secaldeanlosanimosdurantemanifestacionfrentealafortaleza-2505454/|title=Se caldean los ánimos durante manifestación frente a La Fortaleza|date=July 14, 2019|website=El Nuevo Día|language=es|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154156/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/secaldeanlosanimosdurantemanifestacionfrentealafortaleza-2505454/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/14/us/puerto-rico-rossello.html|title=Puerto Rico Leadership in Turmoil Amid Calls for Ricardo Rosselló to Resign|last=Mazzei|first=Patricia|date=July 14, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719064713/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/14/us/puerto-rico-rossello.html|url-status=live}} Protests were also held in other municipalities, cities, and countries.{{cite web|title=En Inglaterra, Chile y Seattle también gritan "Ricky vete ya"|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/eninglaterrachileyseattletambiengritanrickyveteya-2506500/|website=El Nuevo Día|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=es|date=July 18, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719024516/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/eninglaterrachileyseattletambiengritanrickyveteya-2506500/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Protestas contra Ricardo Rosselló trascienden a nivel mundial|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/politica/nota/protestascontraricardorossellotrasciendenanivelmundial-2506206/|website=El Nuevo Día|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=es|date=July 17, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719051227/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/politica/nota/protestascontraricardorossellotrasciendenanivelmundial-2506206/|url-status=live}} Another protest which was held in Old San Juan on July 22, also drew hundreds of thousands and was reported to have set a protest record,{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/march-people-puerto-rico-mobilizes-largest-protest-gov-rossell-s-n1032286|title=Puerto Ricans flood streets, demand resignation of governor in huge protest|publisher=NBC News|accessdate=2019-07-22|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722201928/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/march-people-puerto-rico-mobilizes-largest-protest-gov-rossell-s-n1032286|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/puerto-rico-protests-07-22-2019/index.html|title=Live: Hundreds of thousands protest in Puerto Rico|publisher=CNN|date=July 22, 2019|accessdate=2019-07-22|first1=Paul|last1=Murphy|first2=Mike|last2=Hayes|first3=Elise|last3=Hammond|first4=Veronica|last4=Rocha|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722172138/https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/puerto-rico-protests-07-22-2019/index.html|url-status=live}} with NBC News estimating the crowd size to be potentially over 1{{nbsp}}million by 1pm (AST).{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/puerto-rico-protests-ricky-martin-bad-bunny-joined-ricky-renuncia-ncna1032321|title=At Puerto Rico protests, Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny joined the 'Ricky renuncia' fight. Here's why|publisher=NBC News|accessdate=2019-07-22|first=Julio Ricardo|last=Varela|date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722210244/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/puerto-rico-protests-ricky-martin-bad-bunny-joined-ricky-renuncia-ncna1032321|url-status=live}} The crowd size was reported to have eclipsed the previous record set when protestors gathered in 2004 to denounce the US Navy training missions in the island-municipality of Vieques.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49075683|title=Massive protests held in Puerto Rico after governor refuses to step down|date=July 22, 2019|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2019-07-22|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904080514/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49075683|url-status=live}}

Many protested in creative ways, while doing yoga, holding signs while scuba diving under water, on horse-back, drumming, with face-painting, via group prayers,{{cite web|title=Puerto Rico Protesters Got Creative: Dancing, Singing, Diving…|website=The New York Times|date=July 24, 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/us/puerto-rico-governor-ricky-renuncia.html|access-date=July 30, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904080604/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/us/puerto-rico-governor-ricky-renuncia.html|url-status=live}} and with public demonstration of reminders of those who died in Hurricane María.{{cite web|title=Puerto Ricans Try to Forge Movement to Oust Governor|website=Latino Rebels|date=July 18, 2019|url=https://www.latinorebels.com/2019/07/18/oustgovernor/|access-date=July 30, 2019}}{{cite web|last=Weissenstein|first=Michael|title=Puerto Ricans try to forge movement to oust governor|website=AP NEWS|date=July 18, 2019|url=https://apnews.com/f2062d610de94669b18d4ee8c73b7553|access-date=July 30, 2019|archive-date=July 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730193123/https://apnews.com/f2062d610de94669b18d4ee8c73b7553|url-status=live}} On July 19, there was a cacerolazo ({{Translation|a mass-banging of pots and pans}}), where people across the islands banged on pots and pans, demanding his resignation. Banging pots and pans has been a method of protesting by other Latin American nations in the past. In Puerto Rico residents were timing the banging of pots and pans for 8 p.m. each night.{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/videos/noticias/gobiernopolitica/salenasusbalconesymontanuncacerolazomasivoenlaisla-256649/|title=Salen a sus balcones y montan un cacerolazo masivo en la isla|date=July 19, 2019|website=Primera Hora|language=es|access-date=November 29, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904080911/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/videos/salen-a-sus-balcones-y-montan-un-cacerolazo-masivo-en-la-isla-256649/|url-status=live}} A song, "Afilando los cuchillos" ({{translation|Sharpening the Knives}}), with lyrics by Bad Bunny, Residente, and iLe, was released during the protests.{{cite news|title='Sharpening the Knives': Musicians Join the Protests in Puerto Rico|work=The New York Times|date=July 19, 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/19/us/puerto-rico-residente-ile-afilando-los-cuchillos.html|access-date=July 27, 2019|first=Frances|last=Robles|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719093209/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/19/us/puerto-rico-residente-ile-afilando-los-cuchillos.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2019/07/25/744727518/afilando-los-cuchillos-soundtracks-puerto-rico-s-social-movement-in-real-time|title='Afilando Los Cuchillos' Soundtracks Puerto Rico's Social Movement In Real Time|date=July 25, 2019|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725190506/https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2019/07/25/744727518/afilando-los-cuchillos-soundtracks-puerto-rico-s-social-movement-in-real-time|url-status=live}}

After Rosselló announced his resignation, the song "Te Boté" ({{Translation|I Dumped You}}) was sung by protesters as they happily ripped down posters with his image and dumped them in garbage bins.{{Cite web|url=https://rhythmtravels.com/features/qa-with-dj-blass|title=Q&A with The Reggaeton producer DJ Blass from Puerto Rico|date=July 3, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124151309/https://rhythmtravels.com/features/qa-with-dj-blass|url-status=live}} Perreo, a doggy-style dancing of reggaeton music was mentioned by people of Puerto Rico as contributing to the governor leaving office; Pedro Rosselló, Ricardo's father, had criminalized reggaetón during his term as Governor of Puerto Rico (1993–2001) in such length that record store employees were arrested for selling the genre's music.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/08/01/how-music-took-down-puerto-ricos-governor/|title=Perspective | How music took down Puerto Rico's governor|first1=Verónica|last1=Dávila|first2=Marisol|last2=LeBrón|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202205022/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/08/01/how-music-took-down-puerto-ricos-governor/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/08/07/dj-sessions-puerto-rico-protests|title=DJ Sessions: The Music That Helped Oust Puerto Rico's Governor|website=www.wbur.org|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202205030/https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/08/07/dj-sessions-puerto-rico-protests|url-status=live}} After the resignation announcement, celebrations took place in front of La Fortaleza with people dancing {{lang|es|perreo}}, after weeks of protesting and demands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/puerto-rico-governor-rossello-resigns-protest-perreo-intenso-863473/|title=As Puerto Rico Governor Resigns, San Juan Parties the Night Away|publisher=Rolling Stone Magazine|first1=Jhoni|last1=Jackson|first2=Susan|last2=Exposito|date=July 25, 2019|access-date=December 7, 2019|archive-date=September 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909142633/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/puerto-rico-governor-rossello-resigns-protest-perreo-intenso-863473/|url-status=live}}

Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona), chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, which oversees Puerto Rico policy, called for the governor to resign amid the scandal.{{cite web|last1=Delgado Robles|first1=José A.|title=El congresista Raúl Grijalva pide la renuncia del gobernador|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/eeuu/nota/elcongresistaraulgrijalvapidelarenunciadelgobernador-2504603/|website=El Nuevo Día|accessdate=July 13, 2019|language=es|date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713145333/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/eeuu/nota/elcongresistaraulgrijalvapidelarenunciadelgobernador-2504603/|url-status=live}} Jenniffer González, Puerto Rico's sole representative in Congress, said that she thought Rosselló should not seek re-election the following year as a result of the incident. Thomas Rivera Schatz, President of the Senate of Puerto Rico, took to Twitter and Facebook to call upon Rosselló and every government official included in the chat to resign; Carlos "Johnny" Méndez, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, did the same. On July 13, former governor Sila María Calderón called upon Rosselló to resign{{cite web|last1=Lama Bonilla|first1=Rafael|title=Sila María Calderón le pide la renuncia a Ricardo Rosselló|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/silamariacalderonlepidelarenunciaaricardorossello-2505363/|website=El Nuevo Día|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=es|date=July 14, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719051228/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/silamariacalderonlepidelarenunciaaricardorossello-2505363/|url-status=live}} as well as former governor Luis Fortuño who published a letter on his social media.{{cite web|title=Luis Fortuño le pide la renuncia a Rosselló: "Deje que otro termine su término"|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/luisfortunolepidelarenunciaarossellodejequeotroterminesutermino-2506469/|website=El Nuevo Día|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=es|date=July 18, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718233459/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/luisfortunolepidelarenunciaarossellodejequeotroterminesutermino-2506469/|url-status=live}} On July 19, former San Antonio mayor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro became the first 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to call for Rosselló's resignation,{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/08/03/actualidad/1564786068_043313.html|title=La renuncia oficial de Rosselló no acalla las protestas en Puerto Rico|first=Antonia|last=Laborde|accessdate=6 August 2019|language=es|newspaper=El País|date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806172106/https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/08/03/actualidad/1564786068_043313.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Castro|first1=Julián|title=Julián Castro on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/JulianCastro/status/1152206323406299136|website=Twitter|accessdate=July 19, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719131934/https://twitter.com/JulianCastro/status/1152206323406299136|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=DiRienzo|first1=Rob|title=Castro becomes first 2020 Dem to urge embattled Puerto Rico governor to step down|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/castro-becomes-first-2020-dem-to-urge-puerto-rico-governor-to-step-down-over-leaked-messages|accessdate=July 21, 2019|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=July 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720193108/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/castro-becomes-first-2020-dem-to-urge-puerto-rico-governor-to-step-down-over-leaked-messages|url-status=live}} followed by two fellow presidential contenders, Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard{{cite tweet|last1=Gabbard|first1=Tulsi|user=TulsiGabbard|number=1152051366631809024|date=July 18, 2019|title=Hawaii and Puerto Rico share many of the same experiences and stories. I stand with Puerto Ricans demanding change, who have had enough of government corruption, and who deserve a government of, by, and FOR the people. El pueblo unido jamás será vencido. #RickyRenuncia|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=en}} and Senator Bernie Sanders.{{cite tweet|last1=Sanders|first1=Bernie|user=BernieSanders|number=1152766448604983297|date=July 20, 2019|title=I stand with the people of Puerto Rico in their fight against corruption and join them in calling for the immediate resignation of Governor Rosselló|accessdate=July 19, 2019|language=en}}

{{main|2020 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries}}

The Puerto Rico primary elections were held on August 9 and 16, 2020, among nationwide controversy with the Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections' inability to deliver voting ballots in time on August 9. Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced and former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi both ran for the New Progressive Party nomination for Governor of Puerto Rico, resulting the latter as the winner.

{{main|2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election}}

The 2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 2020, with six candidates running for the office of Governor of Puerto Rico. Former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, who Ricardo Rosselló chose to succeed as Governor of Puerto Rico after the latter announced his resignation, was declared the winner by the Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections. He was sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico on January 2, 2021, as per the Constitution of Puerto Rico.

• Hillary Clinton email controversy
• United States diplomatic cables leak
• United States government group chat leak
• List of -gate scandals and controversies

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons-inline}}

{{Puerto Rico topics}}

Category:2019 in Puerto Rico

Category:2019 protests

Category:2019 scandals

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:News leaks

Category:Political history of Puerto Rico

Category:Protests in Puerto Rico

Category:Telegram (software)

Category:Political scandals in insular areas of the United States