Puerto Rico’s Department of Justice confirmed it received a referral on September 30 from Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz concerning a contracting process at the Administración de Desarrollo Socioeconómico de la Familia (ADSEF), according to Secretary of Justice Lourdes L. Gómez Torres. In written statements, she said the referral will be evaluated under Law No. 2 of February 23, 1988, known as the Law of the Office of the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel.
Gómez Torres said the department received it near midday and will handle it "with the seriousness and rigor it deserves." Under the law, Justice has 15 working days from receipt to conduct a preliminary evaluation and notify the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel whether there is sufficient cause to begin an investigation; that period expires October 22, 2026.
The referral follows the dismissal of former ADSEF administrator Blanca Medina Díaz after she refused to sign a $38 million contract with an education company. Medina Díaz alleged she was pressured by the Department of the Family to sign the agreement. In his communication, Rivera Schatz asked Justice to evaluate the information and take necessary measures to preserve documents and communications related to the contracting processes cited.
Gómez Torres said the process will be independent and strictly follow the law, without prejudging anyone or advancing conclusions, and the result will be reported when it concludes.