Acevedo Vilá, a lawyer, studied politics at the University of Puerto Rico and law at Harvard University.

A Democrat, he began his career clerking for state and federal judges before becoming an adviser to Gov. Rafael Hernandez Colon.

In 2000, he became resident commissioner, a nonvoting member of the House of Representatives. In 2004, a year before his four-year term in Congress ended, he was elected governor.

Cándido Negrón

Negrón, 41, of Glen Mills, Delaware County, is charged with conspiracy and making false statements. A dentist, he became active in dental businesses and Democratic fund-raising in 2001.

Negrón met Acevedo Vilá through a relative and became U.S. deputy campaign finance chairman of Acevedo Vilá's 2002 campaign for resident commissioner. According to the indictment, the men lunched together often.

Negrón has been involved in several dental-related businesses, including Family Dental Centers, Dental One, and DentalMatrix USA.

Salvatore Avanzato Sr.

Avanzato, 69, of Boothwyn, Delaware County, is charged with conspiracy. He is listed in campaign records as chairman of Dental One and an executive with Family Dental Centers.

Avanzato is a former business partner who served as Negrón's mentor before Negrón met Feldman. The Inquirer reported in November that Avanzato, who had a bitter falling-out with Negrón, was cooperating with the FBI.

Marvin I. Block

Block, 74, lives in Philadelphia. He is charged with conspiracy. Block is a businessman and lawyer who has lived here for more than 40 years.

- John Sullivan