Treasury Dept. to release tax information on ex-justice chief Sagardía.

Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez

By THE STAR STAFF

Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez announced on Tuesday that he will provide the island Senate with the requested tax information regarding former Secretary of justice Antonio Sagardía de Jesús, following the receipt of express authorization from the taxpayer.

“As Secretary of the Treasury, ensuring the confidentiality of the information that taxpayers submit to the Department of the Treasury is a responsibility I have undertaken with the utmost seriousness and rigor,” Pantoja Rodríguez said in a written statement. 

The treasury chief noted that in the exercise of his duties he is bound to uphold the minimum guarantees required by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and to maintain a balance between the functions of the Treasury Department and the powers of the Legislative Assembly.

“In this instance -- precisely as required by law -- the taxpayer has provided written notification of their express authorization for the disclosure of the requested tax information,” he stated.

Pantoja Rodríguez said that pursuant to that authorization, the Treasury Department would proceed later on Tuesday to release the requested information.

La Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano had previously stated that the Justice Department was reviewing the process, given that it is the agency handling the case on behalf of the Treasury Department.

Peña Payano noted that the Senate had issued a request with a 24-hour deadline, but added that a 15-day period exists for filing a motion for reconsideration with the Puerto Rico Supreme Court.