By The Star Staff
The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico ordered the Court of First Instance to hold a trial to resolve the case of the Municipality of Cataño against Waste Collection Corp. and Oscar Santamaría Torres, which aims to recover over $13.4 million in public funds.
The determination, revealed last week, overturns a previous ruling that dismissed the municipal claim and allows the case to advance toward a complete evaluation in the courtroom.
The ruling, issued on December 20, 2024, underlines the high public interest in the case as it involves municipal funds awarded through contracts with possible irregularities during the administration of former Mayor Félix “El Cano” Delgado Montalvo. According to the Court, evaluating the substantive evidence presented by the municipality is essential to determine if the funds were used fraudulently.
Initially filed in December 2021, the lawsuit seeks the return of $13.4 million, plus $250,000 in damages and $100,000 in legal fees. The municipality maintains that the contracts awarded to Waste Collection Corp. were the product of irregular practices that benefited the corporation and Santamaría Torres.
The Court of Appeals criticized the decision of the Court of First Instance to resolve the case by summary judgment, arguing that the process did not guarantee an adequate evaluation of the evidence. The ruling states that “the public interest in using and administering municipal funds requires a full adjudication at trial.”
Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo expressed satisfaction with the court decision. “We will continue to move forward to recover the funds that belong to the people of Cataño. This is an important step to do justice and ensure that every penny misused is returned,” he said. The case returns to the Court of First Instance, where dates will be scheduled for plenary trial, marking a new chapter in this high-profile litigation.
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