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The purpose of the school's purchase was later modified without legislative approval, according to a Comptroller's report

File Dennis A. Jones/Metro Puerto Rico.

A report by the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico revealed that the mayor of the Municipality of Juncos, Alfredo “Papo” Alejandro Carrión, modified — without the approval of the Juncos legislature — the purpose of the purchase of a school in which two hotel-type rooms were built.

The report indicates that in 2009, Juncos acquired the former Corazón de María School for $2.5 million to develop a vocational-courses school and to include an area for children with disabilities. However, the mayor modified the initial purpose without approval, and in 2019 built two hotel-type rooms, a project that was halted as of February 2022.

“The mayor modified the purpose for which the acquisition of the property had been approved, without the approval of the municipal legislature — that is, from a vocational-courses school to a hotel. It was not until April 25, 2022 that, by means of Ordinance 18, the Municipal Legislature amended Ordinance 9 to change the proposed use of the acquired facilities to that of a hotel of approximately 50 rooms, and commercial spaces for the rental of small and medium-sized businesses. The approval of the change of use occurred 12 years and 6 months after the approval of the property's original use, and 3 years and 6 months after the construction of the model rooms was contracted,” the report reads.

Likewise, it is noted that the municipality did not conduct a feasibility and marketing study for the development of the hotel project in the acquired structure prior to the disbursement of $63,320 invested in the construction of the model rooms.

The audit also notes that no feasibility and marketing study was conducted for the hotel project and that the Internal Audit Unit did not conduct audits of the information systems in 2021. In addition, irregularities were found in the award of construction projects and in the delivery of bonds by contractors.

The report recommends that the Office of Management and Budget ensure compliance with the Corrective Action Plan established by the Office of the Comptroller.