Puerto Rico Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres announced on Tuesday, October 20, two days before the statutory deadline, that the Department of Justice has begun a preliminary investigation into Family Secretary Suzanne Roig, following a referral from Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. The referral stems from complaints by Blanca Medina Díaz, former head of the Family Department’s Socioeconomic Development Administration (ADSEF), who alleges Roig pressured and harassed her to award federal-fund contracts.
Under the Independent Special Prosecutor (FEI) law, the agency had 15 days to evaluate the referral and now has 90 days for the preliminary investigation. Gómez Torres said all allegations related to the referral will be investigated, that the agency has obtained additional evidence and documentation beyond what the Senate sent, and that two prosecutors have already been assigned.
The preliminary inquiry must result in a recommendation to the Office of the Panel on the Independent Special Prosecutor (Opfei) on whether to appoint a special independent prosecutor, which the panel may adopt or discard. Ygrí Rivera, the panel’s president, confirmed the notification was received. The scope extends beyond government employees to contractors and private individuals.
Medina Díaz testified on October 8 before Justice, the Office of the Inspector General and federal authorities, alleging Roig pushed her to award contracts to NOLA Education for its Star Academy program and to Strategic Technology Advisors for a training platform she considered unnecessary, both to be paid with TANF funds. She said she raised the problems with former Government Affairs Secretary Francisco Domenech and Governor Jenniffer González, who has backed Roig. Roig has denied the allegations.