Press Releases

Investigation reveals possible use of municipal funds to promote the image of the Mayor of Mayagüez on his personal social media

San Juan, Puerto Rico (August 3, 2026) – The Comptroller of Puerto Rico, CPA and Attorney Carmen Vega Fournier, published today investigation report OC-27-12 on the Municipality of Mayagüez, concerning the use of public resources for the production of institutional videos intended to promote the municipal brand "Somos Mayagüez," which ended up being published on the mayor's personal Facebook page.

The investigation revealed that on November 14, 2025, the Municipality entered into a contract with a private company for $32,500 for the creation of an institutional video and a series of seven audiovisual episodes on the pillars of the municipal brand. However, following an analysis of social media conducted in March 2026, the Office of the Comptroller identified that nine of these videos were published on the mayor's personal Facebook page between December 25, 2025 and February 8, 2026, while only one video was shared on the Municipality's official Facebook page and one on the municipal brand's page.

This situation raises the possibility that the mayor may have incurred a violation of Article 4.2(b) of Act 1-2012 (Organic Act of the Office of Government Ethics of Puerto Rico), which prohibits public servants from using the powers of their office, as well as public property or funds, to obtain personal or private benefit. The improper use of these resources resulted in null or limited benefit for the Municipality, despite the disbursement of public funds made in April 2026.

As part of the recommendations, the Comptroller urged the mayor to take the pertinent administrative measures to ensure that municipal contracting responds strictly to the benefit of the city and its residents, and asked the president of the Municipal Legislature to follow up on the plan of corrective measures that may be appropriate.

Investigation report OC-27-12 is available at www.ocpr.gov.pr.