The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported the audit identified improper payments, construction without permits and deficiencies in public contracting
- El Vocero reported the Comptroller's Office identified five findings affecting public fund management and compliance with regulations
- Metro Puerto Rico reported $4,515 was paid for traffic ticket services in 2021 without a valid written contract in effect
- Both outlets reported the municipality spent about $962,000 on sports facilities on central government land
Audit findings
The Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico released an audit on Wednesday that examined administrative and fiscal operations of the municipality of Vega Alta from March 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024. Metro Puerto Rico reported the audit identified five findings related to the handling of public funds, construction works and contracting processes. El Vocero reported Comptroller Carmen Vega Fournier stated in writing that the report revealed five findings that affect public management, the sound administration of funds and compliance with applicable regulations.
According to Metro Puerto Rico, one finding involved an improper payment of $4,515 for services related to a traffic ticket issuance and processing system received between September and October 2021 when no written contract was in effect; the new contract was formalized 39 days after services began. The audit also examined investments in sports facilities built or remodeled on land owned by the central government, including the park and court in the Carmelita sector belonging to the Department of Housing and the Santa Ana court belonging to the Department of Recreation and Sports. Metro Puerto Rico reported the municipality disbursed approximately $962,000 for those works, of which $755,177 came from municipal funds and $207,191 from insurance reimbursements.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
El informe reveló cinco hallazgos que afectan la gestión pública, la sana administración de fondos y el cumplimiento con la normativa vigente
Our translation: The report revealed five findings that affect public management, the sound administration of funds and compliance with current regulations
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Plenamente reafirmo de manera categórica e inquebrantable, nuestro compromiso con la transparencia fiscal, la integridad y la absoluta honestidad en el desempeño de las responsabilidades inherentes a la administración municipal
Our translation: I fully reaffirm in a categorical and unbreakable manner our commitment to fiscal transparency, integrity and absolute honesty in the performance of the responsibilities inherent to municipal administration
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Construction and contracting issues
Metro Puerto Rico reported the audit identified work worth $172,080 at the Nuevo Centro Dos Generaciones for which the municipality did not obtain the required amendments to the construction permit and the single permit. Four construction contracts totaling $1,482,089 were formalized without the contractors first delivering the required bonds to guarantee compliance with the works and payment of materials and labor; the guarantees were received between eight and 240 days after the contracts were signed.
El Vocero reported the municipality formalized contracts for more than $1 million without first obtaining the necessary bonds. Both outlets reported a payment of $2,500 for correction of roof ponding at the Sabana Hoyos Community Center that had not been completed according to the contract; auditors observed continued leaks during an inspection in January 2025 and the contractor performed repairs in March 2025. Metro Puerto Rico reported the Comptroller warned that lack of title prevents recognition of the sports facilities as municipal assets and poses a risk of loss of funds if the owning agencies sell the land or claim its return.
Purchasing and donations
In the area of acquisitions, Metro Puerto Rico reported the audit identified a purchase of safety uniforms for $7,961 without the required three quotes and an overpayment of $960 for the acquisition of 1,000 school backpacks due to an error in the evaluation of offers. Deficiencies were also found in the registration and documentation of micro-purchases, making it difficult to verify use of the procedure and maintain controls.
The Comptroller flagged donations granted to a nonprofit organization for a carnival celebration. Metro Puerto Rico reported the municipality authorized disbursements of $25,000 without evidence of expenditures from previous contributions and made another payment of $10,000 without first formalizing the delegation of funds contract. El Vocero reported the audit identified purchases made without required quotes, awards that did not favor the best bidder, errors in offer evaluation that caused overpayments, and failures in handling micro-purchases including inadequate records and insufficient documentation.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and El Vocero agree on the five findings, the audit period, the $962,000 spent on central-government land sports facilities, the $172,080 in unpermitted work at the Nuevo Centro Dos Generaciones, the contracts signed without prior bonds, the $2,500 payment for incomplete roof work, deficiencies in purchasing procedures and problems with donations to a nonprofit. Metro Puerto Rico gives more dollar specifics including the $4,515 improper payment, the $7,961 uniform purchase, the $960 overpayment on backpacks, the $25,000 and $10,000 donations, and the exact bond delivery delays. El Vocero provides the direct quote from Comptroller Carmen Vega Fournier on the overall impact and lists the full set of recommendations while Metro Puerto Rico focuses on the mayor's response attributing many issues to the prior administration.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether any of the improper payments have been recovered, whether the central government agencies have taken any action regarding the sports facilities, the identity of the nonprofit that received the donations, the current status of the roof repairs at the Sabana Hoyos center, or any disciplinary measures taken against specific municipal officials. The sources also do not indicate the total amount of all questioned expenditures or whether criminal referrals were made.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Contralora detecta pagos indebidos y otras irregularidades en el municipio de Vega Alta
- Reporting Contralora detecta pagos indebidos y otras irregularidades en el municipio de Vega Alta
- Reporting Auditoría señala pagos indebidos y obras sin permisos en Vega Alta
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and El Vocero both covered the Comptroller's Office audit released on October 28, 2026 and the five findings in Vega Alta. The mayor's statements attributing some deficiencies to the previous administration and announcing a corrective action plan appear only in Metro Puerto Rico while the Comptroller's written quote on the findings' impact and the full list of recommendations are detailed only by El Vocero.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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