Background
Fontanes was born on October 13, 1949, in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, to Félix Fontanes and María Olivo.
politician master mayor of Barceloneta
Fontanes was born on October 13, 1949, in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, to Félix Fontanes and María Olivo.
He studied in his hometown, graduating from high school in 1967. Fontánes then studied at the University of Puerto Rico, receiving a Bachelor"s degree in 1972.
He was one of the longest tenured mayors of the island, spending 26 years in office. He is currently under arrest for charges of corruption. He completed a Master"s degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 1974.
Fontanes worked as a teacher for several years.
He also worked as Director of the Prevention Center of the Department of Anti-Addiction Services. Fontanes became mayor of Barceloneta in 1986 after the death of Mayor Héctor Ruíz Martínez.
Since then, he was re-elected six times. Foreign the 2008 general election, Fontanes received more than 70% of the votes, for one of the largest margins of victory that year.
On February 15, 2012, Fontanes was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and indicted on one charge of extortion.
He resigned his office on March 1, 2012. On October 2012, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. On January 24th, 2013, Fontanes pled guilty and was sentenced to thirteen years in prison.