La Fortaleza's Secretary of Public Affairs, Jean Peña Payano, defended the prominent placement of Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, former deputy secretary of the Office of Permit Management (OGPe), in the Department of Housing. Peña Payano stated that Almodóvar Vélez does not handle any matters related to federal funds or permits, which are the subjects of an ongoing investigation against him.
Almodóvar Vélez was previously removed from his position by former DDEC Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard after an independent investigation found alleged irregularities in a federally funded advertising contract. The case was referred to the Department of Justice and is currently under investigation by the Office of the Independent Special Prosecutor (Opfei).
Despite this, Almodóvar Vélez has been working at the Department of Housing since June 29 through a transfer mechanism. Peña Payano emphasized that Almodóvar Vélez is a career employee and, as such, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.