The Department of Housing confirmed that it has appointed Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, the former deputy secretary of the Office of Permit Management (OGPe), effective June 29. Almodóvar Vélez was referred to the Department of Justice, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Comptroller's Office on May 19 by former Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Sebastián Negrón Reichard, following an administrative investigation that allegedly found Almodóvar Vélez and former personnel chief Charlene Neuman Rivera improperly intervened in a competitive contracting process.
The investigation also found that they engaged in undue pressure, retaliation, and obstruction during the internal investigation. The Department of Housing stated that Almodóvar Vélez's appointment will not affect ongoing processes and that he will perform administrative tasks unrelated to federal fund management, auctions, or employee supervision.
Almodóvar Vélez had previously resigned on May 15, but later stated that he was removed at Negrón Reichard's request.