Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes continued her testimony Wednesday afternoon before the Senate Family Committee, choosing her words carefully as senators questioned her about the NOLA Education agreement. Roig Fuertes confirmed that a contract was awarded in January 2026 to NOLA Education, a company linked to Star Academy. She maintained, however, that because the agreement was never executed, there was no contract.
Her position stirred controversy among senators, who pointed out that the Family Department sent a communication notifying NOLA Education that it had been awarded the contract. Roig Fuertes also stated that no funds were requested and no money was disbursed. The controversy gained force when Blanca Medina, former administrator of the Family Socioeconomic Development Administration (ADSEF), alleged she was removed from her post for refusing to sign a $38.5 million contract to favor NOLA Education and Star Academy.
Senator Eliezer Molina questioned whether Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds could be used for a trip that some officials took to Louisiana to evaluate the Star Academy program. Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz also pressed questions about the contracting process at the department.