I wish to clarify inaccurateinformation published in El Nuevo Día on 13 and 14 May, in the articles: “Former OCIF Commissioner confirms that there was “undue pressure” to stop the examination against Bancrédito” and “Banker involved in Wanda Vázquez’s campaign is also being investigated in his country”, regarding our client Mr. Julio M. Herrera Velutini.
Mr. Julio M. Herrera Velutini is a professional banker with nearly 30 years of experience. His group, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico for 15 years, owns Bancrédito International Bank, an international banking entity that has invested over 100 million dollars in the island’s economy and directly and indirectly employs over 120 people.
It is untruethat there has been “an arrest warrant from the Venezuelan government, since 2010, for alleged irregularities in banking transactions.” The Deputy Minister of Internal Policy and Legal Security of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Alana Yaneska Zuloaga Ruiz, certified in February 2022 that Julio Martin Herrera Velutini HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD in that country.
It is false that Mr. Herrera Velutini “defrauded the government with a losing sale”. It is the Government of Venezuela that owes Mr. Herrera Velutini close to $40 million, which is why he has been involved in an international lawsuit for 12 years so that the government pays what is owed.
It is false that Mr. Herrera Velutini has “illegally financed ex-governor Wanda Vázquez Garced’s campaign expenses in the 2020 elections.” At no time, did either Mr. Herrera Velutini nor his companies contribute financially to Mrs. Vázquez Garced’s campaign. The US company Bancrédito Holding Corporation, as a legal entity, did legally contribute to the Political Action Committees of the candidates for governor Pedro Pierluisi and Charlie Delgado.
In January 2020, Mr. Herrera Velutini commissioned an international and independent firm for political, economic and social analysis of Puerto Rico. These results were delivered in April 2020 and shared with federal agencies, investors, banks and published in a newspaper with high circulation in Florida.
In February 2020, Mr. Herrera Velutini participated in a professional meeting where then Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced was present and in which she expressed her interest in running for governor in the next general election. Herrera Velutini wishes her every success. At no time did the governor request financial support, nor did Mr. Herrera offer her anything.
Mr. John Blakeman does not have, nor has he ever had, a contractual relationship with Mr. Herrera Velutini, Bancrédito International Bank or Bancrédito Holding Corporation. At no time did Mr. Herrera Velutini personally or professionally request Mr. Blakeman to intervene on behalf of Bancrédito. Bancrédito’s offices are located in a building owned by Paulson Co. and it leases commercial space like any other business in this building.
Mr. Herrera Velutini and the members of the Board of Directors of Bancrédito Holding Corporation are willing to cooperate with any local or federal agency regarding any type of investigation. In the past, they have collaborated with federal agencies on various matters.
Julio M. Herrera Velutini and his company, Bancrédito, act with the highest ethical and professional standards. They have maintained a robust compliance program with all applicable federal and state regulations.
The expressions must be awarded to the Lcdo. Luis Delgado of the law firmHomer Bonner Jacobs Ortiz, http://www.homerbonner.com/luis-delgado/. These are the only statementsthat will be being made on this subject. #
Julio Herrera Velutini 