Puerto Rico Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes said that at no point during her appearance at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, October 7, did she state that Coccoloba AgroEnvironmental LLC submitted a formal proposal in the controversial $38.5 million contract under investigation. The probe concerns the intent to hire NOLA Education to provide federally funded services under the Star Academy proposal.
Asked to name other companies considered, Roig Fuertes mentioned Litoral Vivo and Coccoloba AgroEnvironmental. It has emerged that Coccoloba asked not to be considered and that its documents were meant only to show what it does, such as gardening work. On Wednesday, Coccoloba’s attorney, Nadja I. Cardona Portalatín, sent the secretary a letter stating that tying the company to the controversy "calls into question the good name of my client and its owner, and demands a documentary clarification."
Roig Fuertes responded that her statements at the hearing "were clear and specific," explaining that three companies sent documentation to the email address set up for that purpose. Two submitted extensive proposals, while the third sent a communication with documents about its programs and services. She said she reiterated to senators that this company submitted a communication and attachments, not a formal proposal, and that her remarks are consistent with the company’s own information.
Roig Fuertes testified that requests to submit proposals for the educational services contract went to 45 companies, and said the list was provided by the Education Department.