Rivera Schatz moves to investigate allegations against top officials as pressure mounts on Domenech

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández

By THE STAR STAFF

The political crisis surrounding the administration of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has deepened as Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz not only called for the resignation of La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández, but also initiated a formal legislative investigation into sweeping allegations of political interference and potential criminal conduct.

On Tuesday, Rivera Schatz filed Senate Resolution 548, directing the Senate’s Committee on Innovation, Reform and Nominations to conduct an exhaustive inquiry into the complaint submitted by former Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard. The resolution tasks the committee with examining Negrón’s detailed accusations against some of the administration’s highest‑ranking officials, including the chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff, the Justice secretary and others. According to the resolution, the allegations involve political intervention in administrative processes, obstruction, conflicts of interest, and conduct that could rise to criminal violations.

The Senate president reinforced his position Wednesday during an interview with WKAQ 580 AM, where he sharply criticized Domenech following the filing of Negrón Reichard’s complaint before the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (OPFEI). Rivera Schatz said the allegations merit a “serious evaluation,” arguing that they point to possible violations of ethics rules and law. He defended Negrón Reichard’s credibility and questioned why the former official would fabricate accusations of such magnitude.

“He is dragging the NPP [down],” Rivera Schatz said, referring to Domenech and the governing New Progressive Party. “He should resign, and he should go somewhere far away.”

The controversy widened further as Sen. Ángel Toledo López signaled that the Senate may summon Domenech again to clarify issues raised in the complaint. Speaking on Radio Isla 1320 AM’s “Pegaos en la Mañana,” Toledo said the information submitted by Negrón Reichard could contradict Domenech’s prior testimony before the Senate’s Committee of the Whole. He noted that Domenech previously testified that he had no communication with clients of Politank, the political consulting firm with which he has been associated. Toledo said Negrón’s complaint alleges that Domenech engaged in actions related to the Opus Miramar project, conduct that, if proven, would conflict with his sworn statements.

Toledo added that some of the allegations could carry implications beyond a simple inconsistency. He said that when certain events described in the complaint are aligned with Domenech’s earlier testimony, they could raise questions about possible perjury, though he emphasized that the information remains under evaluation and that he is not asserting that any crime has been committed.

Negrón Reichard’s complaint asks the OPFEI to expand an investigation into alleged interventions in administrative processes and decision-making within the DDEC. It includes claims involving a competitive process for federally funded advertising services, alleged interventions in tax decree matters, and disciplinary actions involving personnel at the Office of Permits Management. Domenech rejected the allegations earlier this week, calling them inaccurate, lacking context, and presenting a distorted version of events.

Despite Domenech’s denial, Toledo said the Senate retains full authority to call him back if lawmakers determine that additional scrutiny is warranted. He noted that nothing prevents the chamber from reopening the matter if it believes further clarification is necessary.

With Senate Resolution 548 now in motion and legislative leaders openly challenging the administration’s handling of the matter, the dispute appears to be escalating into one of the most significant internal crises facing the González Colón administration to date.