PPD flags conflict of interest with nominee for disability advocate

On July 11, Governor Jenniffer González appointed David Figueroa Betancourt as the new Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, the same day she also signed several bills expanding the “Bill of Rights” for this population.

By The Star Staff

The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) delegation in the Senate denounced on Thursday that the newly appointed Disability Advocate (DPI in Spanish), David Figueroa Betancourt, faces apparent conflicts of interest tied to his history of litigation under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

PDP Senate spokesperson Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, together with Ponce district senator Marially González Huertas, questioned Governor Jenniffer González Colón administration for once again failing to properly vet its nominees.

“Today we raise the alarm about yet another nominee with a questionable background. The new Disability Advocate, David Figueroa Betancourt, appears to have clear conflicts of interest due to his past actions. Figueroa has or had professional ties with attorneys who dedicate themselves to suing businesses, medical offices, and even government entities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,” Hernández Ortiz stated in written remarks.

According to the lawmakers, Figueroa Betancourt has acted as a plaintiff in multiple ADA-related cases, including suits against small businesses, restaurants, private companies, as well as public agencies and municipalities. Entities sued include the Municipality of Santa Isabel, the Public Buildings Authority, the Planning Board, and even the Disability Advocate’s own office.

“The person now heading the DPI has consistently filed lawsuits against small business owners, restaurants, and even government institutions, alleging ADA violations,” González Huertas added.

The legislators also cited reports by journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto linking Figueroa Betancourt to attorney José Carlos Vélez Colón, based in North Carolina, who has represented plaintiffs in dozens of similar cases.

The PDP delegation called for Figueroa Betancourt’s appointment to be withdrawn, reminding that, as a recess appointment, he has already been exercising the role for over a month.

“Let us recall that Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced Figueroa Betancourt’s nomination on July 11, 2025. Since the Senate is in recess, this means the appointee has already been fully performing the duties of the position for more than a month. This is a highly irregular situation, and the people of Puerto Rico deserve to know about it,” Hernández Ortiz concluded.