Comptroller reveals purchase of vehicles and asphalt for more than $147 thousand without the required quotations in Trujillo Alto
The Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico (OCPR) issued a qualified opinion on the fiscal operations of the Municipality of Trujillo Alto. A qualified opinion is issued when the noncompliances, individually or together, are significant but not pervasive.
The Report reveals that the Municipality of Trujillo Alto purchased three motor vehicles for $81,428 from 2021 to 2022, without obtaining at least three quotations. For one of the purchases only the quotation of the awarded provider was obtained, and for the other purchase the quotations were not found.
In addition, the Municipality purchased 840 tons of asphalt for $65,733 in 2020, without obtaining the required quotations, but only that of the awarded provider.
The current law and regulations prohibit the disbursement of municipal funds for the purchase of goods, supplies and services without the required quotations. In addition, these situations prevent free competition among the greatest number of providers.
The audit, with two findings, notes that the Municipal Archive for inactive documents lacked equipment for humidity control and had leaks in the roof and boxes on the floor. The lack of adequate control of public documents leads to their deterioration, destruction or loss.
The Report comments on the federal prosecution sentences against the former mayor on January 11, 2023 and against the former mayor's assistant on March 3, 2023, for fraud against the Government of the United States. Both requested, accepted and received payments in exchange for arranging and awarding contracts to two asphalt, paving and garbage collection services companies. The owners of the companies pleaded guilty to corruption charges in judicial proceedings related to this scheme, also in other municipalities.
The financial statements reflected accumulated deficits in the General Fund of $3.1 million in 2020, $3.1 million in 2021, $2.7 million in 2022 and $533,490 in 2023. The 2024 financial statement reflected an accumulated surplus of $3.9 million.
The audit recommends that the director of the Office of Management and Budget ensure that the Municipality of Trujillo Alto complies with the Corrective Action Plan established by the OCPR.
This report covers the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024.
The Audit Report OC-25-80 can be obtained on our website: www.ocpr.gov.pr.
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