Senate confirms Vega Fournier as comptroller

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Senate confirmed on Thursday the appointment of Carmen Vega Fournier as comptroller of Puerto Rico, after receiving a positive report from the Innovation, Reform, and Appointments Committee chaired by Thomas Rivera Schatz.

“After conducting a thorough evaluation and analysis, this Committee recognizes that the nominee’s professional record demonstrated a high level of ability, dedication, and commitment to all matters related to financial oversight in Puerto Rico,” the report states.

Vega Fournier was confirmed for a 10-year term.

Regarding an anonymous complaint received during the evaluation process, Rivera Schatz indicated that, by 2 p.m., no additional information had been received, nor had the author of the allegations appeared, so the confirmation was made.

Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Sen. María de Lourdes Santiago Negrón had requested earlier in the day that consideration of Vega Fournier’s appointment be halted, following the anonymous complaint sent to that office regarding her performance as president of the Economic Development Bank.

The senator noted that although the nominee satisfactorily responded to questions from the PIP delegation, allegations arose in an anonymous communication that must be corroborated before continuing with the confirmation process.