Thomas Rivera Schatz refers Itza García to OPFEI and Ethics over alleged improper dealings

On July 14, 2026, NotiCel reports that Thomas Rivera Schatz filed a referral and complaint with the Office of the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel and the Office of Government Ethics concerning the undersecretary of the Governorship, Itza García Rodríguez, over alleged violations of the Penal Code, the Government Ethics Act, and the Anticorruption Code. The action arises from two statements the Senate received on July 9, from Sebastián Negrón Reichard, former DDEC secretary, and Ernesto Zayas García, former Incentives director.

According to the referral, Itza García Rodríguez would have pressured the then DDEC secretary to arrange a detail at the Permit Management Office for the wife of Manuel Torres, president of Politank Corp., while that company had active dealings related to a tax-benefit project. The complaint holds that she intervened to push the hiring of her partner, Luis Sánchez, at OGPe, with the sending of proposals and follow-up. Thomas Rivera Schatz argued that those dealings could constitute a conflict of interest. Another finding: the alleged deletion of messages between her and Sebastián Negrón Reichard. The document posits an alleged scheme coordinated with Francisco Domenech. The referral is about 15 pages. He asked OPFEI, Justice, and Ethics for immediate investigations and to preserve electronic evidence.

On July 10, Francisco Domenech had denied the sworn statements. On July 8, DDEC fined Politank Corp. $80,000. On July 17, FEI announced it will investigate both. On the 21st, Jenniffer González Colón announced their departures. Four acts. This note covers the referral against Itza García Rodríguez. The reader who wants the 15 pages has the NotiCel URL at the foot.

Source: NotiCel. https://noticel.com/noticias/20260714/rivera-schatz-refiere-a-itza-garcia-al-opfei-y-a-etica-por-alegadas-gestiones-indebidas/