Family Department offices in Arecibo face eviction
By THE STAR STAFF
The Puerto Rico Family Department is facing an eviction lawsuit over more than $53,000 in alleged unpaid rent for its Arecibo offices, despite the agency’s assertion that it only owes three months of rent.
Attorney Melvin Hernández, who represents the owner of the building that houses the agency’s Arecibo offices, said the debt exceeds the three months acknowledged in a letter recently issued by the Family Department. The dispute emerged after details became public regarding an eviction complaint seeking recovery of $53,440 in allegedly overdue rent payments.
Hernández said the parties met on Oct. 2 to discuss the delinquent payments and that department officials acknowledged delays in processing the rent. During the meeting, the agency indicated that payments corresponding to July and August would be processed and also stated that funds for prior months had already been released by the Financial Oversight and Management Board.
“That meeting took place on Oct. 2. She informed us of the reasons why the payment had not been issued, but at the same time indicated that payments for July and August were being processed. We asked about the previous months and she said the Board had already released the funds,” Hernández said. “We thought we had reached an agreement. However, when the date arrived on which we were supposed to receive the written agreement, it never came, and we proceeded to file the lawsuit.”
The attorney said the property owner sought judicial intervention after the agency allegedly failed to comply with its payment obligations under the lease agreement.
“In light of the failure to comply with the payment obligations under the contract, we sought the remedy of eviction, which is the legal mechanism through which a property owner has the right to recover possession of the property,” Hernández said.
The attorney noted that no payment had been issued to date. The complaint filed in court alleges an outstanding balance exceeding $53,000.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on Nov. 17, when both parties are expected to present their positions regarding the disputed rent payments and the request for eviction.
