U.S. charges Puerto Rican governor, 12 othersStory Highlights

NEW: Indictment names 12 others associated with Popular Democratic Party

Accused of running a conspiracy to raise money illegally to pay off campaign debts


SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- U.S. authorities have announced an indictment charging Puerto Rico's governor with 18 counts in a long-running campaign finance probe.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said Thursday the indictment also charges 12 other people associated with Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila's party.

Rodriguez told reporters that the 13 are accused of running a conspiracy to raise money illegally to pay off Acevedo's campaign debts in 2000.

At the time, Acevedo was running to be the U.S. island territory's nonvoting member of Congress.

Acevedo's party favors maintaining the island's semiautonomous relationship with the U.S. mainland. His leading opponent in the governor's race favors making Puerto Rico the 51st state.

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END of AP Release