Wanda Vazquez Garced in Vox Media


On Civil Rights: Oversaw budget cuts to groups serving battered women

Vazquez has a complicated history with women's rights groups on the island. The relationship grew tense while Vazquez was the head of the government agency in charge of enforcing women's civil rights--a position she held from 2010 to 2017, when she left to take over the justice department. Vazquez oversaw steep budget cuts to groups that provide services to battered women. She also instituted strict new requirements for those groups to receive federal funding.
Source: Vox.com on 2020 Puerto Rico Gubernatorial race Aug 9, 2019

On Crime: May have meddled in theft investigation at daughter's home

Vazquez made history as the first justice secretary in Puerto Rico to face a criminal investigation. In 2018, she temporarily stepped down in response to ethical complaints filed by the office of an independent special prosecutor. Vazquez was accused of abusing her power when she reportedly tried to meddle in a theft investigation at her daughter's home. The prosecutor said there was not enough evidence to charge Vazquez of wrongdoing, but the publicity was bad for her.
Source: Vox.com on 2020 Puerto Rico Gubernatorial race Aug 9, 2019

On Crime: Didn't investigate corruption over hurricane relief

One of the most upsetting issues to Puerto Ricans was the alleged corruption related to the Hurricane Maria recovery. The storm devastated the island in September 2017, and many neighborhoods have yet to return to normal. Puerto Ricans want to know what happened to all the federal money. Vazquez showed little interest in investigating it. She also angered the public for reportedly refusing to investigate why tons of hurricane supplies were abandoned in fields and never distributed to survivors.
Source: Vox.com on 2020 Puerto Rico Gubernatorial race Aug 9, 2019

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