Press Releases

Comptroller reveals disbursements of $618,864 for unused trailers and security in Guánica

San Juan, Puerto Rico (August 3, 2026) – The Comptroller of Puerto Rico, CPA and Attorney Carmen Vega Fournier, published today investigation report OC-27-11 on the Department of the Family, focused on the contracting for the rental of three office-type trailers and the private security service intended for the temporary relocation of the personnel of the Guánica local office, following the damage caused by the January 2020 earthquakes.

The investigation revealed that, between May 2020 and November 2023, the agency awarded five contracts totaling $426,174 for the lease of the structures, disbursing $308,616 for their installation and rental. Added to that figure are $310,248 paid for private security in the area where the trailers were located. However, the audit confirmed that those trailers were never used and no services were provided to the public from those facilities throughout the entire period examined.

During that period, the employees of the Guánica local office were stationed at and serving the public from the Lajas office. This situation not only represented an outlay of public funds with no usefulness or benefit for the participants of the Department's programs, but it also directly affected the residents of Guánica by forcing them to travel to another municipality to process their applications and benefits.

These actions contravene articles 2.f and 2.g of Act No. 230 of July 23, 1974, the Government of Puerto Rico Accounting Act, which require that the fiscal operations of public agencies be carried out within a strict framework of usefulness, necessity and austerity.

For her part, the Comptroller recommended that the Secretary of the Department of the Family immediately adopt the pertinent corrective measures to ensure the optimal and efficient use of the Government's financial resources.

Investigation report OC-27-11 is available at www.ocpr.gov.pr.