Governor backs Family Department secretary amid Star Academy controversy
Jenniffer González Colón said Suzanne Roig Fuertes answered all questions in a Senate hearing and will remain in her post, while Roig left any decision on her permanence to the governor.
The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that Governor Jenniffer González Colón backed all responses offered by Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes during a Senate public hearing on Wednesday
- El Vocero reported that Roig left the decision about her permanence in the post to the governor's discretion and confirmed that González Colón had reiterated confidence in her on Thursday
- The governor told reporters that former ADSEF administrator Blanca Medina Díaz lacked credibility and that no federal or state funds were disbursed for the Star Academy program
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that the Star Academy contract award was canceled on May 19 2026 and that a trip to New Orleans was justified as an evaluation of possible projects
Governor reaffirms support for secretary
Governor Jenniffer González Colón stated on Wednesday that Family Department Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes will continue in her position. The governor said Roig answered every question and presented evidence during a Senate public hearing held the previous day. Metro Puerto Rico reported that González Colón added she will not remove the official.
Roig Fuertes told reporters on Thursday that she leaves any decision about her permanence at the head of the agency to the governor. She said the post is one of trust and at the governor's discretion. El Vocero reported that Roig confirmed González Colón had reiterated her confidence both personally and publicly on Thursday. The secretary said she has kept the governor informed throughout the controversy.
The public hearing by the Senate commission on family matters examined internal controversies at the Department of the Family. Among the issues was the evaluation process for companies interested in a contract for the Star Academy program. Metro Puerto Rico reported that the program could have used up to $38.5 million in federal TANF funds.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
La secretaria del Departamento de la Familia seguirá haciendo su trabajo. No voy a destituir a la funcionaria
Our translation: The secretary of the Department of the Family will continue doing her job. I am not going to remove the official.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Conflicting accounts and no funds used
The governor stated there was no contract awarded, no funds used and no approval given for Star Academy. She said the award was canceled on May 19 2026. González Colón added that her government will seek alternatives to use the federal resources to provide services. Metro Puerto Rico reported that she described a December 2025 trip to New Orleans paid with $7,610.80 in TANF funds as an evaluation of possible projects and technologies used in other jurisdictions.
Metro Puerto Rico reported that the governor said former ADSEF administrator Blanca Medina Díaz lacked credibility. González Colón described Medina as a person "muy querida por el PNP" and expressed gratitude for her electoral work in Caguas while regretting her statements. The governor indicated that Coccoloba AgroEnvironmental LLC responded to a request for information and that the department included it among received documents.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and El Vocero reported that Governor Jenniffer González Colón expressed confidence in Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes and that Roig will remain in her position. Metro Puerto Rico quoted the governor saying on Wednesday that Roig answered all questions with evidence, that Blanca Medina Díaz lacked credibility, that no funds were disbursed for Star Academy and that the contract was canceled on May 19 2026. El Vocero reported that Roig left the decision on her permanence to the governor's discretion, confirmed the governor reiterated confidence on Thursday, and described conflicting accounts given by Roig and Medina Díaz in the Senate hearing about the evaluation process and the role of ADSEF and LAP Consulting. Metro Puerto Rico also covered the New Orleans trip and company responses while El Vocero mentioned a complaint filed by Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the Office of the Comptroller or the Inspector General will open an investigation following the complaint by Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde. They do not give the outcome of any review of LAP Consulting Group's contract or payments. The sources do not specify what alternative programs the government will pursue with the TANF funds or provide a timeline for any new initiatives. Casualties, arrests and other impacts are not mentioned because none occurred.
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 Firme la gobernadora con la secretaria de la Familia
- Reporting Firme la gobernadora con la secretaria de la Familia
- Reporting Suzanne Roig deja "a discreción de la gobernadora" su permanencia al frente de Familia
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and El Vocero both covered the governor's support for Suzanne Roig Fuertes and details of the Star Academy controversy. The direct statements from the governor, including her refusal to remove Roig and comments on Blanca Medina Díaz, rest on Metro Puerto Rico. El Vocero is the sole source for Roig's comments about leaving the decision to the governor and the Thursday reiteration of confidence.
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.