Cataño Mayor Hiram Torres Montalvo announced the cancellation of eight municipal contracts whose annual amounts total $913,000, as part of a review of contracting during his first two weeks leading the administration. The move is part of his 90 x 90 initiative, aimed at strengthening oversight and administration of public funds. Among those canceled are the contracts of Publicidad Tere Suárez, LLC and SBGB, LLC, of attorney Jaime Sanabria, at $150,000 a year each.
According to the municipality, both were discussed during transition hearings because of findings by the Office of the Comptroller: improper use of public funds in the case of the advertising agency, and overbilling of about $75,000 in the case of the law firm. Also canceled were Bufete Fuentes y Asociados, CSP, at $30,000; González & Martínez Law Offices, PSC, at $220,000; Bent Group, LLC, at $60,000; Knockout Strategies & Public Relations, LLC, at $48,000; EDR Solutions, LLC, at $105,000; and RDJ Group, LLC, at $150,000.
All figures are annual amounts. "Cancelling the contracts is a first step. We are also going to take the necessary steps so that the money that belongs to the people is returned," Torres Montalvo said in written statements.
The mayor said he will seek the return of funds owed to the municipality, did not rule out referrals to the appropriate authorities, and will keep evaluating other contracts.