Governor Jenniffer González Colón told Noticentro that the dismissal of Blanca Medina Díaz as administrator of the Administration for the Socioeconomic Development of the Family (ADSEF) was not because she refused to sign contracts at the agency. The firing was confirmed this morning by Secretary of the Governor's Office Norma Burgos. According to the governor, Medina Díaz was dismissed for insubordination and for not attending meetings; ADSEF falls under the Department of the Family and its secretary, Suzanne Roig Fuertes.
The governor said Burgos, who holds weekly cabinet meetings, identified in multiple meetings a lack of appearance to work on PAN funds and comply with federal rules, and that Burgos made the decision. González Colón said she is 'very protective' of federal PAN funds, is overseeing a transition from PAN to SNAP, must follow the guidelines, and will not put federal funds for Puerto Rico at risk.
However, ADSEF employees told Noticentro the dismissal was allegedly because the administrator did not sign contracts she had raised red flags about, specifically involving TANF funds that would go to an outside company not specialized in TANF funds. Earlier, she had reportedly refused to sign another $36 million TANF contract for an academic-lag program at the Department of Education to be awarded to another outside company.
La Fortaleza said the reasons include insubordination, inattention to important matters, and lack of communication with federal agencies.