Jean Peña Payano, Public Affairs secretary at La Fortaleza, acknowledged on Thursday that the controversies surrounding Puerto Rico Family secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes affect the image of Governor Jenniffer González Colón’s administration. Asked on El Nuevo Día’s program Lo de Hoy whether they hurt perceptions of the governor, he answered, "That is correct," adding that any controversy not handled properly distracts from a government’s work.
He said the administration must keep communicating and not be distracted from solving people’s problems. Asked whether the governor still trusts Roig Fuertes, Peña Payano said all confidence appointees are subject to evaluation, including himself and all cabinet heads. "As of today she remains in her position," he said.
He stressed the governor has insisted the allegations be investigated and urged against drawing conclusions early, saying the truth must be weighed against statements, evidence and facts. He urged the parties to provide evidence requested by the Senate, the Office of Government Ethics (OEG), the Independent Special Prosecutor or any other entity. On Tuesday, Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres announced a preliminary investigation into Roig Fuertes over alleged improper pressure to award federal-funded contracts, following a referral from Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz.
Former ADSEF administrator Blanca Medina Díaz alleges Roig Fuertes harassed and pressured her to evaluate and award contracts to NOLA Education and Strategic Technology Advisors, to be paid with TANF funds; neither contract was completed. Two prosecutors are assigned, with 90 days to make a recommendation to the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel. Roig Fuertes has denied the allegations.