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SAN JUAN (CyberNews) – The Comptroller of Puerto Rico Yesmín Valdivieso published on Tuesday the result of an investigation into alleged irregularities related to the contracting, the services rendered and the payments made to two professional services contractors of the Municipality between 2017 and 2018.

The findings were referred for the consideration of law and order entities, and entities that govern the profession.

The investigation revealed that contractor 1 billed 3,150 dollars for direct services related to air conditioners and electricity, without having the electrical expert license or the refrigeration and air conditioning technician license. In addition, contractor 1 carried out work without having formalized a written contract and billed twice for the same services of evaluating damage to the air conditioners located at the Government Center.

On April 29, 2018, the Municipality of Cataño canceled the contract of contractor 1, for 4,200 dollars monthly, after being charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with bribery and conspiracy for fraud against a federal funds program when he was an official of the Municipality of Toa Baja.

These situations contrary to the current law and regulation were referred to the evaluation of the Secretary of Justice and the administrator of general services and chief procurement officer on July 20 and 21, 2023 respectively. Also, referrals were processed to the Examining Board and Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians of Puerto Rico, and to the Examining Board and Association of Expert Electricians of Puerto Rico on September 18, 2023.

The investigation recommends to the mayor, among others, that he ensure that the municipal secretary establish the necessary controls for the contracting processes, that the finance director ensure the correction of the invoices, and that he recover from the contractors those amounts indicated in the Report.

This Investigation Report of October 4, 2023 is available at www.ocpr.gov.pr.