The head of the FBI in Puerto Rico, Douglas Leff, confirmed today that a group of detectives are investigating local officials, in view of the possibility that they have committed fraud, because of complaints they have received for mishandling federal funds for the reconstruction of the island after Hurricane Maria.

“We have some squads that are focusing on crimes related to disaster, funds and other things. We have received many, many complaints, “Leff said in an interview with a local radio station.

“The amount of funds in transit is huge. We are on an island, there are resources that the federal government has to register to deliver supplies and repair the infrastructure and that is why there are funds in transit that we have to look at very closely, “he added.

Leff also confirmed that the FBI has sent more resources, as well as specialized agents, to address the high incidence of gang and white collar cases on the island.