Comptroller’s office raids Cataño City Hall, seizing computers
- The San Juan Daily Star
- Sep 24
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
The Puerto Rico Office of the Comptroller conducted a raid at Cataño City Hall on Tuesday as part of an investigation into undisclosed matters.
The operation involved the seizure of five computers belonging to key staff members, including the deputy mayor, municipal administrator and director of citizen assistance. Employees were reportedly evacuated from the building during the raid.
Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo confirmed the incident and stated that he was unaware of the investigation’s purpose.
“I met with the auditor in charge, whom I know, and who is a serious person,” he said. “They took the deputy mayor’s laptop, the computer of my special assistant, Elba Crespo, and also the municipal administrator’s. They seized the computer of the director of citizen assistance and another computer belonging to a colleague. We are going to support the comptroller’s administration. We are going to provide all the documents today and cooperate as we have in the past. I feel comfortable with all the work we have done. You know that Cataño suffered the blow of corruption in 2021, and if anyone has done anything wrong, they will pay to the fullest extent of the law.”
Alicea Vasallo described the situation as “deja vu.” He recalled that a complaint against his administration was also investigated in November 2024, and that the Department of Justice later concluded there was insufficient evidence of a crime.
The raid occurred as Alicea Vasallo’s administration has faced scrutiny over the handling of public funds and resources. It remains unclear whether the raid was connected to the previous concerns or if it relates to new allegations.
At press time, the comptroller’s office had not yet released an official statement regarding the raid or the ongoing investigation. As the situation unfolds, Cataño’ City Hall officials and the public await further clarification and possible legal outcomes.
Former Cataño Mayor Félix “el Cano” Delgado, who left office in late 2021, pleaded guilty to federal charges of corruption. In February of this year, the comptroller found irregularities in the awarding of certain contracts.
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