Leading Puerto Rican legislator arrested

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- The former president of Puerto Rico's House of Representatives was arrested Friday, family members said.

Authorities would not immediately comment, but the FBI scheduled a news conference to discuss the matter.

A federal grand jury had been investigating whether the legislator, Rep. Edison Misla Aldarondo, improperly intervened in the sale of the Arecibo Regional Hospital to a Puerto Rican company, Sulsoni Corp.

Misla Aldarondo, now leader of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party in the House, was taken into custody early Friday at his home, said his sister, Migdalia Misla.

"We are praying to the Lord," said the sister, adding that family members weren't allowed to say goodbye to him.

Misla Aldarondo has denied accusations by Julio Rodriguez Gomez, the Health Department's regional director, that the legislator had received $90,000 from the sale of the hospital. The legislator has admitted to receiving the money as donations from Sulsoni Corp.'s founders, but has denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement, Misla Aldarondo insisted he was innocent and said "I completely trust the justice system."

"The forces of evil have triumphed today," he said in the statement, sent by fax after his arrest.

The president of the New Progressive Party, Carlos Pesquera, was to convene a legislative caucus Friday to choose a substitute for Misla Aldarondo.

Misla Aldarondo served as House president from 1996 to 2000 during the administration of pro-statehood Gov. Pedro Rossello. He also is a member of the Republican National Committee for Puerto Rico.