Ex-Finance chief David Atalig is found in contempt

Former Department of Finance secretary David DLG. Atalig is found in contempt for not responding to most questions about the previous administration’s BOOST grant program. All seven committee members present voted “yes” to a motion to find him in contempt.

As expected, a special committee of the House of Representatives found former Department of Finance secretary David DLG. Atalig in contempt yesterday for invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in responding to most questions relating to the previous administration’s Building Optimism, Opportunity, and Stability Together grant program.

All seven committee members present voted “yes” to a motion to find Atalig in contempt. They are Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan), who chairs the House Special Committee on Federal Assistance & Disaster-related Funding; Rep. Marissa Renee Flores (Ind-Saipan); committee vice chair Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan); Rep. Vicente C. Camacho (D-Saipan); Rep. Diego Vincent F. Camacho (D-Saipan); Rep. Angelo A. Camacho (Ind-Saipan); and Rep. Vincent S. Aldan (Ind-Saipan).

Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao (Ind-Saipan) was present in most parts of the hearing, but was not around during the voting. Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) was absent, but excused from the hearing.

Atalig completed yesterday afternoon the second day of his testimony. He was accompanied by his lawyer, Bruce Berline.

Yumul said the next BOOST hearing will be announced.

The special committee had already found in contempt Shayne Villanueva of Roil Soil, and Robert Travilla and Salina Sapp of Nonstop Corp. for invoking their Fifth Amendment right and refusing to answer questions. Villanueva, Travilla, and Sapp were in charge of marketing the $17-million BOOST Program. Bank of Saipan was the administrator of the program.

At the advice of his counsel, Atalig invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in responding to most of the questions relating to the BOOST Program.

It was Flores who made the motion to find Atalig in contempt, saying Atalig repeatedly refused to testify under oath. She said such failure to respond is in violation of the law.

In addition, Flores said that evidence presented showed that Atalig, in his capacity as Finance secretary, willfully interfered with the joint investigation of the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee of the previous 22nd Legislature.

She further moved that the special committee transmit a report to the House and ask Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) to send a statement of contempt to the CNMI Attorney General for Atalig’s prosecution.

Among the questions asked that Atalig refused to answer are: Did he ever pick up checks or expedite the approval process for the approval of his family members’ BOOST applications?; Did he ever email the Bank of Saipan in connection with the BOOST applications of family members?; Is he familiar with Maga’lahe Grill, Dash Car Wash, Marianas Post Express, Fat Jack Holdings, Cory’s Garden, and D&D Fish Market?; Is he affiliated or have any affiliation to these companies?

The other questions are: Did he, as Finance secretary, on Nov. 18, 2022, personally submit documents relating to a BOOST application to Bank of Saipan for Dash Car Wash?; as Finance secretary did he submit the application for Dash Car Wash as already pre-approved?; Was Dash Car Wash awarded $200,000 on Dec. 12, 2022?; and is the BOOST application of Dash Car Wash under the name of his biological son, Cameron Atalig?

Atalig was also asked if he personally submitted documents to the Bank of Saipan relating to the BOOST application of Marianas Post Express, if the application was reviewed by the whole panel or did he submit it as already approved, and if Marianas Post Express is owned by his son, Jesse A. Deleon Guerrero.

Saying just in case the public can’t see a document on the screen, Aldan read that Atalig personally submitted on Nov. 18, 2022, documents to Bank of Saipan as approved without the benefit of scrutiny by the full review panel. Aldan said Deleon Guerrero requested for $360,000 on Sept. 17, 2022 and that it is unclear if Deleon Guerrero was awarded any amount.

Aldan said Deleon Guerrero is the biological son of Atalig’s wife, Doris, and is Atalig’s stepson.

Aldan also asked Atalig if he, on Dec. 15, 2022, as Finance secretary, submitted documents to the Bank of Saipan relating to the BOOST application of Maga’lahe Grill. Maga’lahe Grill was allegedly awarded $200,000 on Dec. 13,2022. Its owner, Sherry Aldan Pangelinan, is allegedly Atalig’s sister-in-law.

Aldan also read a document stating that Dominic and Sherry Pangelinan of Maga’Lahe Grill requested for $400,000 and got approved for $200,000 on Dec. 13, 2022.

Aldan said documents pertaining to Maga’lahe Grill were submitted, via email, by Atalig on Dec. 15, 2022, after check was issued on Dec. 13, 2022.

He said records reflect these applicants previously applied on Sept. 21,2022 under D&D Fish Market for $349,875. Aldan said D&D Fish Market was awarded $125,000 on Oct. 27, 2022.