Caguas Cancels Universal Properties Contract, Refers Company to Justice Department for Irregularities

The Municipality of Caguas canceled the contract with Universal Properties Realty Government Services, LLC., after an internal investigation confirmed irregularities in the process of declaring public nuisances and their sale by that company in Caguas, said Mayor William Miranda Torres in an interview with the Center for Investigative Journalism.

Public Nuisances or Private Business?

The sale of the properties, for which the municipalities got ownership and control through forced expropriation to third parties, is not transparent. The expropriation and purchase agreements that Universal Properties drafts on behalf of the municipality with a “purchasing applicant” are not submitted to the Office of the Comptroller.

¿Estorbos públicos o negocio privado?

El proceso de declaración de estorbos públicos, la tasación de los inmuebles, la notarización de documentos, la transferencia de titularidades y la representación legal de los municipios ante el Tribunal para la expropiación forzosa de estructuras y solares, recaen todos en la misma compañía que, además, tramita la venta a nombre de los ayuntamientos. 

Una pesadilla para los puertorriqueños conseguir hogar, mientras otros acaparan propiedades

“Es una misión imposible buscar casa en Puerto Rico”. Así la pediatra Cynthia Miguel resumió su experiencia al intentar encontrar una propiedad donde vivir con sus tres hijos en San Juan. “Vi como 10 propiedades en San Juan, siete u ocho walkups y apartamentos. Me topé con listas de espera de hasta 15 personas para verlos. Hubo ‘realtors’ que me dijeron que me llamarían para avisarme cuándo podrían mostrarme la propiedad.

A Nightmare for Puerto Ricans to Find a Home, While Others Accumulate Properties

“Searching for a house in Puerto Rico is mission impossible.” That is how pediatrician Cynthia Miguel summed up her experience trying to find a property to live with her three children in San Juan. “I saw about 10 properties in San Juan, seven or eight walk ups and apartments. I ran into waiting lists of up to 15 people to see them. I had realtors who told me they would call me to let me know when they could show me the property. I never got any calls back,” she recounted.

Governor’s Cousins Have Over 20 Real Estate Consulting and Public Housing Corporations

Aside from the public housing management business, for which federal authorities are investigating Walter and Eduardo Pierluisi Isern, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi’s cousins, the Pierluisi Isern and Pierluisi González-Coya families have more than 20 active companies in real estate, consulting and business and real estate management.