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Writer's pictureThe San Juan Daily Star

Island Supreme Court upholds suspension of Ponce mayor



Luis Manuel Irizarry Pabón, the suspended mayor of Ponce

By The Star Staff


The Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (PFEI by its Spanish initials) announced on Wednesday that the Puerto Rico Supreme Court issued a resolution declining jurisdiction with regard to the appeal for Certiorari filed by the lawyers of the suspended mayor of Ponce, Luis Manuel Irizarry Pabón.


The appeal requested that the decision of the Court of Appeals, which upheld the precautionary measure of sound public management implemented by the PFEI to protect the interests of the people, be revoked.


If the Supreme Court does not take up the appeal, the suspension of the mayor’s office remains in force and with the full rigor of the law, the PFEI said, including any interference or decision-making by Irizarry Pabón on municipal programs and resources.


“Once again, the authority granted to the PFEI by Law 2-1988 to suspend from its functions a Municipal Executive accused of acts of corruption is validated,” the PFEI said in a written statement.


Irizarry Pabón was suspended as mayor after a Ponce court found cause to arrest him on Oct. 31, 2023 for violating the Government Ethics Law and the Penal Code on charges of illicit enrichment. The PFEI ordered his suspension as mayor of the Municipality of Ponce.


Irizarry Pabón’s lawyers appealed the decision to suspend him to the Court of Appeals arguing several errors in the lower court ruling.


In November, the appellate court dismissed the appeal. Judge José Monge Gómez agreed that the PFEI acted correctly in ordering the precautionary measure of summary suspension of Irizarry Pabón’s employment.


“Both the SIP Law and the applicable regulations validate this, after the determination of probable cause for arrest by the CFI [Court of First Instance], which was against the appellant,” reads the determination.


The suspended mayor was accused of allegedly requesting money from employees to pay a personal loan of $50,000.


The preliminary hearing in Irizarry Pabón’s criminal case will continue on March 16-17.

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