Comptroller refers Education funds probe to Justice

By THE STAR STAFF

The Comptroller of Puerto Rico, Carmen Vega Fournier, reported the results of the investigation OC-26-46 on alleged irregularities in the management of funds of the C.A.S.A. Project (Sustainable Student Support Centers) of the Department of Education and referred the case to the Departments of Justice, Education and Finance for the evaluation of possible actions. 

The investigation examined operations carried out between May 1, 2019 and September 30, 2023 and arose after a complaint related to the management of public funds by Profesional Career Training Corp., an entity that managed project centers in Cidra and Peñuelas. 

Between August 2019 and June 2023, the Department of Education signed four collaborative agreements and two amendments with the corporation for a total of $2.59 million, of which it disbursed $2.35 million. 

As part of the investigation, the Comptroller’s Office obtained bank information through a court order and identified transactions related to project funds. According to the report, between January 2020 and September 2023, the corporation’s CEO transferred $57,632 to his personal accounts and made cash withdrawals. In addition, it issued checks in his favor for $172,088 that, according to the OCPR, were unrelated to the information submitted to the Department of Treasury. 

The investigation concluded that funds intended for the C.A.S.A. Project were used in contravention of the contract, regulations and applicable laws, and noted that the actions could constitute violations of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code. 

The report does not include management comments or written responses from the Department of Education, Professional Career Training Corp., or its CEO. However, Education officials indicated that the contract with the entity was not renewed for the fiscal year 2023-2024 due to administrative deficiencies and irregularities in accounting information. 

As a result, the Comptroller’s Office issued referrals to the Justice, Education, and Treasury secretaries to evaluate the findings and determine appropriate actions. 

Vega Fournier urged the Department of Education to strengthen controls on the use of public funds and promote an “effective, economical, efficient and ethical” administration of government resources.