Investigation Into Former CCSS Medical Manager Concludes Without Sanction
Inquiry against Randal Álvarez Juárez over official vehicle use is closed despite recommendations for suspension.
The investigation concerning Randal Álvarez Juárez, the former Medical Manager of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), over the use of an official vehicle to travel home after attending a football match has been archived.
Despite two out of the three officials recommending a suspension without pay for two days, the process concluded without imposing sanctions.
Álvarez resigned from his position as Medical Manager of the CCSS in May 2023 following scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the daily use of a corporate vehicle for commuting between Puntarenas and San José.
The case came to light in November 2022 following a report by _La Nación_, which resulted in the immediate suspension of such vehicle use and amendments to the CCSS regulations prohibiting vehicle use outside official hours without prior authorization and due to reasons of necessity.
Despite the revealed irregularities, Natalia Castro Alfaro, Director of the Integrated Health Service Network in the Central Pacific Region, archived the investigation prompted by the Internal Audit.
Currently, Álvarez holds a position as Director of Hospital Monseñor Sanabria in Puntarenas, post his resignation from the Medical Manager role.
The decision to close the investigation was documented in a letter dated April 22, 2024, and revealed that two investigators supported a two-day unpaid suspension, citing confirmed misuse claims.
Nonetheless, the decision was referred to the Labor Relations Commission of Hospital Monseñor Sanabria, where Álvarez currently serves as director.
Attempts to contact Castro for further clarification were declined, with a statement expressing her openness to respond only through the official press office.
The potential conflict of interest in sending the case for review to a body led by the subject of the investigation raised questions, which remained unanswered.
Internal Audit reports highlighted that the vehicle assigned to Álvarez, a Toyota Fortuner, exceeded its approved schedule on October 19, 2022, according to GPS data.
This vehicle left San José at 11:13 p.m. and was returned at 1:18 a.m. the following day, despite authorized movements being restricted to between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Álvarez has consistently declined to confirm whether he attended a football match on the mentioned date, invoking Article 24 of Costa Rica’s Political Constitution, which addresses privacy rights.
The inquiry brings to focus the recent regulatory changes by CCSS to restrict vehicle use by senior officials and raises further accountability questions.
Despite two out of the three officials recommending a suspension without pay for two days, the process concluded without imposing sanctions.
Álvarez resigned from his position as Medical Manager of the CCSS in May 2023 following scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the daily use of a corporate vehicle for commuting between Puntarenas and San José.
The case came to light in November 2022 following a report by _La Nación_, which resulted in the immediate suspension of such vehicle use and amendments to the CCSS regulations prohibiting vehicle use outside official hours without prior authorization and due to reasons of necessity.
Despite the revealed irregularities, Natalia Castro Alfaro, Director of the Integrated Health Service Network in the Central Pacific Region, archived the investigation prompted by the Internal Audit.
Currently, Álvarez holds a position as Director of Hospital Monseñor Sanabria in Puntarenas, post his resignation from the Medical Manager role.
The decision to close the investigation was documented in a letter dated April 22, 2024, and revealed that two investigators supported a two-day unpaid suspension, citing confirmed misuse claims.
Nonetheless, the decision was referred to the Labor Relations Commission of Hospital Monseñor Sanabria, where Álvarez currently serves as director.
Attempts to contact Castro for further clarification were declined, with a statement expressing her openness to respond only through the official press office.
The potential conflict of interest in sending the case for review to a body led by the subject of the investigation raised questions, which remained unanswered.
Internal Audit reports highlighted that the vehicle assigned to Álvarez, a Toyota Fortuner, exceeded its approved schedule on October 19, 2022, according to GPS data.
This vehicle left San José at 11:13 p.m. and was returned at 1:18 a.m. the following day, despite authorized movements being restricted to between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Álvarez has consistently declined to confirm whether he attended a football match on the mentioned date, invoking Article 24 of Costa Rica’s Political Constitution, which addresses privacy rights.
The inquiry brings to focus the recent regulatory changes by CCSS to restrict vehicle use by senior officials and raises further accountability questions.
