Articles

The report was referred to the Department of Justice

An Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico report that was referred to the Department of Justice revealed that the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR) paid more than a million dollars to the Public-Private Partnerships Authority (AAPP) without a written contract.

According to the audit, the DCR paid a total of $1,691,571 to the government agency on September 13 of 2018 for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in the analysis of the development of two correctional institutions, under the public-private partnerships modality. This included $1,383,124 for the work performed by the Authority related to the project, $165,974 in service charges and $142,473 in interest on the line of credit.

The Office of the Comptroller's analysis indicates that the Department of Correction did not execute a written assistance contract with the Authority.

“The absence of written contracts can foster the filing of fraudulent and illegal claims,” the Office of the Comptroller warned in the report.

In addition, the audit also revealed that the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation has not used the technological equipment of two of the seven educational laboratories, acquired for three hundred thirteen thousand, seven hundred seven dollars, despite more than two years having elapsed since its installation.

“This not only represents a waste of resources, but also deprives inmates of the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge,” adds the Office of the Comptroller's report.

The report also evidenced the payment of seventeen thousand, eight hundred sixty dollars to a contractor for training hours not performed.

In addition, multiple deviations from the regulations regarding professional and consulting services contracts and deficiencies in the processing of invoices for payment were detected.

Finally, the report highlighted a case in which a contractor billed seventeen thousand, six hundred seventy-two dollars for work during schedules that conflicted with other work billed to other government entities.“These situations were referred to the consideration of the Secretary of Justice on May 12, 2022″, the Office of the Comptroller concluded.