Ferrer warns GEO against playing pitcher and catcher in Parra’s contract probe.

Questions arise over an amendment to a government contract involving former Justice Secretary Janet Parra as officials call for a review by the Government Ethics Office.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Popular Democratic Party’s spokesperson in the House of Representatives, Héctor Ferrer Santiago, sent a letter Wednesday to Luis A. Pérez Vargas, executive director of the Puerto Rico Government Ethics Office (GEO), raising concerns over an amendment made to former Justice Secretary Janet Parra’s contract with the Office of the Commonwealth Comptroller.

Ferrer cautioned that he hopes the GEO is not “playing pitcher and catcher” with Parra in an attempt to avoid investigating the matters for which she was originally referred to the agency.

According to Ferrer, the amendment to Parra’s contract gives the impression that it may be intended to influence or alter the course of the ongoing investigation. 

The lawmaker recalled that on February 26 he submitted a complaint to the GEO requesting an investigation into the contract, and that the agency later confirmed it had opened an inquiry.  The complaint centers on a $50,000 legal consulting contract Parra signed with the Office of the Comptroller on February 13, 2026.  In the complaint, Ferrer argues the contract violates ethics laws, which prohibit former public officials from intervening or advising before the agency they led for two years after leaving office. Parra served as Secretary of Justice until May 2025.  The contract requires Parra to advise on investigations and act as a liaison with the Department of Justice—the very agency she recently headed. Ferrer claims this allows her to handle investigations or audits that may have begun during her tenure.

Ferrer explained that after the referral was filed, an amendment was added to the original contract.  The amendment reportedly removes all references to the Justice Department. However, Ferrer argued that the modification does not change the fact that the contract had already been awarded and signed.

“This amendment to the contract does not remedy the violation of the Ethics Law or the administrative infraction, both of which were already consummated with the signing and awarding of the original contract. Therefore, it is the Office of Government Ethics’ responsibility to continue evaluating the matter,” Ferrer Santiago said.

The PDP spokesman noted that he sent the communication so the agency would be aware of the amendment and could consider it as part of the ongoing investigation.

Finally, Ferrer criticized the Comptroller’s involvement, stating, “It is unfortunate that the Comptroller allowed herself to intervene in an active Government Ethics investigation to help Janet Parra continue billing, despite having committed a violation of the law.”