PFEI expands investigation against ex-Housing Secretary to include her father
The independent prosecutor panel authorized adding Noel Pérez Martínez after prosecutors found evidence linking him to alleged irregularities at a family vehicle inspection business.
File photoThe short version
- The Panel of the Fiscal Especial Independiente authorized expanding the criminal investigation against former Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña to include her father Noel Pérez Martínez Primera Hora reported
- Prosecutors Maricarmen Rodríguez Barea and Gisela Alfonso Fernández requested the expansion after obtaining information and documentary evidence during their investigation according to the PFEI
- The PFEI granted the prosecutors 45 days to conduct the expanded investigation NotiCel reported
- The expansion aims to determine the possible participation of Noel Pérez Martínez in irregularities at a family vehicle inspection and license plate sales business Primera Hora reported
Investigation expanded
The Panel of the Fiscal Especial Independiente (PFEI) informed on Friday that it authorized the expansion of the criminal investigation against former Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña to include her father Noel Pérez Martínez. Primera Hora reported
Prosecutors Maricarmen Rodríguez Barea and Gisela Alfonso Fernández requested the expansion after detecting evidence that allegedly implicates the man in irregularities at a family vehicle inspection and license plate sales business. The PFEI stated that the request responded to information and documentary evidence obtained during the investigative efforts related to the assignment given to them. The panel granted the prosecutors 45 days to carry out the investigation. NotiCel reported
The Department of Justice referred the investigation against Pérez Peña to the PFEI for the possible offense of undue influence under Article 261 of the Penal Code of Puerto Rico as well as for possible violations of the Government Ethics Law according to NotiCel.
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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.
Renuncio con la cabeza en alto por el trabajo realizado y por el compromiso que siempre guió nuestras acciones en beneficio del pueblo de Puerto Rico.
Our translation: I resign with my head held high for the work done and for the commitment that always guided our actions for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Background of the case
The imputations against the former Housing Secretary arose at the beginning of February after the former director of Investigations and Inspection of the Department of Transportation and Public Works Arturo Deliz Vélez revealed that about 68 inspection centers had allegedly charged citizens for license plates without remitting the funds to the Department of Treasury the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration or insurers according to Primera Hora. One of the centers was Yabucoa Auto Service which until December 2025 appeared in the name of Pérez Peña.
Deliz Vélez who is also under investigation by the Department of Justice revealed that the center was fined $500 for each fraudulent transaction and that in the case of Yabucoa Auto Service 1975 transactions were detected resulting in potential fines of $987500. However a transaction occurred in which the fine was reduced to $5000 without documentation according to the report.
Where the sources differ
Both Primera Hora and NotiCel agree on the PFEI's authorization to expand the investigation against Ciary Pérez Peña to include her father Noel Pérez Martínez the names of the two prosecutors the basis for the request being information and documentary evidence obtained during the investigation and the granting of 45 days. Primera Hora provides extensive background on the original imputations including details about Arturo Deliz Vélez's revelations the number of centers involved the specific center linked to Pérez Peña the fine calculations and the governor's defense while NotiCel focuses more narrowly on the expansion and notes a prior time extension granted in August as well as the specific legal basis for the referral from the Department of Justice.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether Noel Pérez Martínez has been notified of the expansion or if he faces specific allegations. They provide no update on the status or timeline of the original investigation against Pérez Peña beyond the new 45-day period for the expansion. The sources do not indicate what if any response Pérez Peña or her father have given to the latest development or whether additional extensions will be sought.
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 FEI amplía investigación contra exsecretaria de la Vivienda para incluir a su padre
- Reporting FEI amplía investigación contra exsecretaria de la Vivienda para incluir a su padre
- Reporting Panel del FEI amplía investigación contra la exsecretaria Ciary Pérez Peña
How we checked this
Primera Hora reported the bulk of the background on the original imputations the governor's defense and Pérez Peña's resignation letter while both outlets covered the PFEI expansion announcement and the 45-day term. The possible offenses cited rest solely on NotiCel's account of the Department of Justice referral.
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.