Puerto Rico’s Justice Department is conducting a preliminary investigation of Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes over alleged irregularities in the award of a contract under the Family Socioeconomic Development Administration (ADSEF). Justice has 90 days to submit a report to the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel (PFEI), which will then evaluate and decide whether to assign special prosecutors to the case.
If it proceeds, the case would join other PFEI investigations, including the probe of five officials and the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), and the allegations against former Housing Department secretary Ciary Pérez Peña and her father. PFEI president Ygrí Rivera Sánchez said that although there are few special prosecutors, "they will not fail" despite fewer resources or staff.
Former federal prosecutor Juan Masini Jr. told NotiCentro there could also be federal jurisdiction in this case. According to NotiCentro sources, María del Mar Mateu, who heads the Child Support Administration (ASUME), has been approached to lead the Family Department. For weeks, Roig Fuertes has been in public discussion after former ADSEF administrator Blanca Medina Díaz alleged she was pressured by the secretary to sign multimillion-dollar contracts.
Roig Fuertes also faces a lawsuit by former Arecibo regional director Blanca García Sostre, who alleges workplace harassment and seeks $1.35 million in damages. Roig Fuertes said she has not yet been served and that the agency investigated the case in compliance with its manuals and legal provisions.