David Noriega Rodríguez

David Noriega Rodríguez (April 10, 1945 – May 4, 2013) was a Puerto Rican lawyer, politician, and political analyst. He was one of the most relevant political figures in Puerto Rico during the last two decades of the 20th century, when he was a member of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP). Noriega ran for Governor of Puerto Rico at the 1996 general elections. Noriega became known as the "People's Prosecutor" because of his active role in pursuing government corruption. Noriega studied political science at the University of Puerto Rico. He then completed a degree in law.

Political career Noriega's political career began in the late 1960s, after being elected as president of the General Council of the University of Puerto Rico in the year 1967. He was also Secretary of the Youth of the PIP in 1968. Two years later, he was elected as Secretary of the party. In 1979, Noriega also served as Secretary of Legislative Affairs for the PIP, and in 1980 served as Electoral Commissioner. In all elections, he was the candidate with the most votes from all parties. As a member of the House of Representatives, Noriega was instrumental in exposing the corruption scandal in the AIDS Institute of San Juan.

Noriega was the gubernatorial candidate of the PIP in the 1996 general elections. He received 3.8% of the votes.

Because of differences with the leadership of the PIP, he resigned from the party in the late 1990s. Noriega was one of the voices that promoted abstention for the 1998 status referendum. This, despite the fact that the PIP gave his full support to a direct vote in favor of independence.

Fight against corruption During the late 1990s, Noriega became renowned for his work in the famous case of the "carpetas". The "carpetas" were secret dossiers on independence supporters that were maintained by local police with help from federal authorities. These dossiers were used as instruments of persecution against those who sought political independence for the island. Noriega was one of the plaintiffs in the case held against the Government of Puerto Rico. He died of pancreatic cancer in the morning of May 4, 2013.