Articles

Four employees of the Manatí-Dorado area received some $15,892 even though they had their regular salaries

The Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico in Hato Rey

Four public employees of the entity known as Manatí-Dorado Local Workforce Development Area (ALDL) received payments from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA) even though none lost their main source of income during the quarter of July to September 2020.

According to an audit report of the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico (OCPR), these employees received PUA payments issued by the Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH) for a total of $15,892 despite the fact that the four employees received their regular salaries during that period of time.

“In addition to an additional data verification, six other employees were identified for whom the DTRH issued payments for PUA benefits. However, it could not be determined the amount of the benefits paid or whether they received them”, the report reads.

As part of its report, the OCPR recommended that the DTRH take the pertinent measures following the revelation of the disbursement of these PUA funds and urged the executive director of the office to also take action on the matter.

The audit report further detailed that this entity also acquired the sticker of a heavy bus without complying with the requirements of law.

Through an interview and certification of August 4 and 10, 2022, the purchasing agent reported that on June 14, 2022 he delivered the bus license to the owner of an inspection station, located in the municipality of Barceloneta, who proceeded to issue the certificate. This, without having inspected said unit. On June 30, 2022 the purchasing agent acquired the sticker for the bus at a collection office located in Arecibo.

According to the document, ALDL is a “service delivery area” that receives federal funds for training and jobs and receives funds from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).