Representative José “Memo” González Mercado is under scrutiny for failing to include income from a food and beverage business in Arecibo in his financial reports. The business, Partime Sea Side Sport Bar, of which González Mercado is a co-owner, generated $353,000 in gross income over the past three fiscal years.
Despite earning profits from the business, González Mercado has not reported the income, claiming that the funds are held in the corporation’s account and not personally withdrawn. However, questions have been raised about how he acquired the establishment, as he did not disclose this information in his reports.
The investigations by El Nuevo Día’s Investigations and Data Unit also revealed that González Mercado did not inform the Office of Government Ethics (OEG) about receiving 50% shares of the business through a private contract of assignment, worth $5,000. Legislators are prohibited from accepting gifts over $250, raising concerns about the potential violation of this rule.
Furthermore, OEG found discrepancies in González Mercado’s financial reports, noting that he did not disclose the amount he invested in the business or other financial activities. The OEG has made repeated inquiries about the Partime Sea Side Sport Bar but has not received satisfactory responses from the representative.
González Mercado’s financial reports also raised flags regarding his investments in Primérica, a financial management advisory firm, as he did not accurately report the cost of his investments. The OEG emphasized the importance of transparent and accurate reporting of financial information by public officials.
The House of Representatives, where González Mercado serves, is responsible for addressing the findings in his financial reports. The OEG has previously made referrals to the House regarding financial reports of other representatives, indicating that appropriate actions should be taken to ensure accountability and adherence to ethical standards.
As the investigation into González Mercado’s financial dealings continues, it remains to be seen how the House will respond to the findings and whether further inquiries or actions will be taken against the representative.