Three municipal police officers sue San Sebastián mayor for discrimination
The civil lawsuit filed in Aguadilla alleges religious discrimination, political retaliation, failure to accommodate medical conditions and other labor violations seeking nearly $750,000 in damages.
PhotoThe short version
- Telemundo Puerto Rico and NotiCel report that three San Sebastián municipal police officers filed a civil suit on Oct. 12 against the municipality and Mayor Eladio Cardona Quiles seeking $748,000
- According to both outlets Soto Rodríguez alleges the captain called his partner relationships “pecaminosas” and contrary to the captain’s religious beliefs, removed his locker from the women’s bathroom during the 2024 headquarters move and singled out his belongings
- NotiCel and Telemundo Puerto Rico state that Valentín Ruiz claims his contract was not renewed for political reasons after he supported a rival candidate within the PNP
- Both outlets indicate González Ríos alleges the municipality failed to honor long-standing medical and religious accommodations that limited sun exposure and set specific work hours
Lawsuit details
Three agents of the San Sebastián Municipal Police filed a civil lawsuit on Oct. 12 in the Court of First Instance in Aguadilla against the municipality and Mayor Eladio Cardona Quiles. Telemundo Puerto Rico reported the suit, identified as SS2026CV00820, was brought by Carlos José Soto Rodríguez, José Valentín Ruiz and William González Ríos. The plaintiffs attribute part of the alleged acts to Captain Samuel Ríos Núñez and claim the municipal administration knew of their complaints but failed to take effective corrective measures, according to both outlets.
The outlets agree the plaintiffs are requesting damages for physical harm, mental anguish, lost wages and benefits. They also seek reinstatement of Valentín Ruiz, enforcement of reasonable accommodations for González Ríos, restoration of compensatory time and return of the official motorcycle assigned to Soto Rodríguez. NotiCel reported the same claims.
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Allegations by plaintiff
Soto Rodríguez claims the captain described his partner relationships as “pecaminosas” and contrary to the captain’s religious beliefs during a conversation at the Emergency Operations Center. The suit also states that during the 2024 move to a new headquarters the supervisor ordered removal of the locker the agent used in the women’s bathroom and placed a sign reading “hombres, favor de utilizar el baño de hombres.” Telemundo Puerto Rico and NotiCel reported that on Feb. 23, 2025 the captain allegedly removed only Soto Rodríguez’s belongings from a shared desk and placed them in the dining area. After filing an internal complaint in July 2025 he was suspended for two months, lost compensatory time and had his official motorcycle taken away.
González Ríos, with nearly 28 years of service, alleges the municipality failed to honor reasonable accommodations granted since March 2011 for medical conditions and religious beliefs. The accommodations reportedly set a Monday-to-Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., weekends off and no prolonged sun exposure. The plaintiff, who has diabetes and a dermatological condition limiting sun exposure to 20 minutes, claims he was assigned to direct traffic in full sun for nearly two hours. When another officer offered to relieve him the captain allegedly refused and ordered that he remain “para que cogiera un poco de sol.” Both outlets state the suit lists shifts from July 2025 to August 2026 that violated those restrictions and that the captain said he could change the accommodation “cuando quisiera por necesidad de servicio.”
Where the sources differ
The two sources, Telemundo Puerto Rico and NotiCel, agree on all core facts including the names of the three plaintiffs, the $748,000 amount sought, the case number, filing date and court, the identity of the captain, the specific incidents described and the mayor’s alleged knowledge through meetings, written communications and verbal complaints. The articles are nearly identical in wording and sequence; no numerical, factual or chronological conflicts appear between them.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the municipality or the mayor have responded to the lawsuit, whether any internal investigation occurred, the current employment status of Soto Rodríguez and González Ríos, or when a hearing on the claims is scheduled. No information is given on the total years of service for Soto Rodríguez or Valentín Ruiz or on any prior administrative rulings regarding the complaints.
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.
- Reporting Policías municipales demandan al alcalde de San Sebastián
- Reporting Tres policías municipales demandan al alcalde de San Sebastián por discrimen y represalias
How we checked this
Telemundo Puerto Rico and NotiCel each published substantially the same account drawn from the civil complaint. All details, including the quoted phrases from the captain and the specific incidents, rest on the allegations contained in the lawsuit filed by the three officers.
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.