González avoids saying if Family Secretary Roig still has her confidence
The governor referred questions about new documents on the NOLA Education contract to ongoing investigations by the Justice Department, the Inspector General and federal authorities.
PhotoThe short version
- El Nuevo Día reported that on Oct. 22, 2025, Advocacy Solutions was tasked with analyzing financing for NOLA Education to provide Star Academy services
- Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that documents showed a proposal to pay 100% of the contract upfront before services were provided
- El Nuevo Día reported the $37.5 million contract would use TANF funds for a pilot in 25 schools during the 2026-27 school year
- Both outlets reported that Governor Jenniffer González declined to say whether Secretary Suzanne Roig retains her confidence
Governor refers matter to investigators
Governor Jenniffer González avoided answering whether Family Secretary Suzanne Roig still enjoys her confidence after new documents surfaced regarding the contracting process for NOLA Education. El Nuevo Día reported that González made the comments on Tuesday, Oct. 20, after an event at the Caribe Hilton hotel in San Juan.
According to El Nuevo Día, the governor said the Legislature had already held hearings on the matter and that "the agencies of law and order" with investigative authority are handling it. González told reporters to let the Department of Justice, the Inspector General and other agencies with jurisdiction conduct their probes and make any necessary referrals.
Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that González stated the law enforcement agencies "are the ones that have all the jurisdiction to do the investigations that have to be done." The governor again declined to say whether Roig retains her confidence.
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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.
Vamos a dejar que las agencias que tienen la jurisdicción para hacer las investigaciones, las hagan y hagan las recomendaciones y los referidos que tengan que hacer.
Our translation: Let's let the agencies that have jurisdiction to conduct the investigations do them and make the recommendations and referrals they have to make.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Details of the proposed contract
El Nuevo Día reported that documents and emails from the Family Department and the Socioeconomic Development Administration for the Family (Adsef) show that on Oct. 22, 2025, an external firm, Advocacy Solutions LLC, was commissioned to analyze possible financing for NOLA Education. The company was represented by attorney Carlos M. Limardo Ortiz.
The outlet reported that one document states Governor González knew of the intention to do business through the Star Academy program and considered it a priority for a pilot project with 25 schools in the 2026-27 school year. The proposed contract was for $37.5 million using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.
Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that the documents discussed disbursing 100% of the money before the company provided services. Two days after the initial Oct. 22 message, an Adsef employee emailed that public money could not be advanced to NOLA Education.
Where the sources differ
El Nuevo Día and Telemundo Puerto Rico largely agree on the facts of the story. Both report that Governor Jenniffer González declined to state whether Suzanne Roig retains her confidence and referred questions to ongoing investigations. El Nuevo Día gives a contract value of $37.5 million while Telemundo Puerto Rico reports $38.5 million. El Nuevo Día provides more details on the Oct. 22, 2025 email, the involvement of Advocacy Solutions LLC, attorney Carlos M. Limardo Ortiz, the governor's knowledge of the project as a priority, and the exact wording of documents about the pilot in 25 schools.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether Suzanne Roig has been asked to resign or comment directly on the new documents. They do not detail what specific pressure Blanca Medina Díaz alleged in her sworn statement or the current status of the multiple investigations by the Senate, the Inspector General, the Department of Justice and federal authorities. The articles also do not say whether any referrals or charges have been 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 Jenniffer González evita contestar si Suzanne Roig aún goza de su confianza
- Reporting Jenniffer González evita contestar si Suzanne Roig aún goza de su confianza
- Reporting JGo omite responder si Suzanne Roig tiene su confianza tras nuevos señalamientos
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and Telemundo Puerto Rico both reported on Governor Jenniffer González's Tuesday comments about the NOLA Education matter. Most details on the documents and timeline come from El Nuevo Día. The characterization of the information as "scandalous" appears only in the Telemundo Puerto Rico headline and lead.
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.