Probe on CGC’s use of federal funds sought

Sen. Corina Magofna (Ind-Saipan) has written to the Senate Standing Committee on Health, Education, and Welfare as well as the Standing Committee on Judiciary, Government, and Law seeking an oversight investigation into how the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Community Guidance Center is using its federal funds.

Yesterday, Sen. Magofna sent out a letter to Senate Standing Committee on Health, Education, and Welfare chair Donald Manglona (Ind-Rota) and Standing Committee on Judiciary, Government, and Law chair Karl King-Nabors (R-Tinian) seeking an oversight investigation into how CHCC’s Community Guidance Center is using its federal funds.

The request stems from allegations raised by CGC staff that they are being paid lower than what has been reported to federal agencies.

“I am writing to bring to your attention an email I received on Aug, 29, 2024, from an anonymous individual seeking assistance from the Senate Standing Committee on Health, Education, and Welfare [and Standing Committee on Judiciary, Government, and Law] to conduct an oversight on CHCC’s Community Guidance Center,” said Magofna.

Magofna wrote that according to the allegations, CGC staff are concerned that if federal agencies are providing CGC a certain amount for staff salaries and are paying staff lower than reported to said federal partners, where is the excess funding going?

“The individual has raised the following allegations: ‘I want to ask if you could look into CHCC and see how they handle the federal funds that they receive for the community guidance center. They are claiming to the feds that they are paying us certain amount for our salary but in reality, we are getting paid way lower that what they claim. They always blame CHCC HR. Our annual salary amount has been approved by the federal partners, but CHCC still won’t make the changes. Isn’t that illegal to be reporting to the feds that they are paying the CGC staff a certain amount per annum but in reality, they are not? What are they doing with the money that they claim to be paying the CGC staff? Higher ups are always traveling also but when it comes for the frontliners at CGC to travel, they either reject the TA or they have to tag along.’” the letter states.

Magofna expresses that it is imperative that the community is informed that when such allegations, issues, or concerns are raised, elected officials take them seriously and investigate them thoroughly to assure constituents that their grievances are not ignored or disregarded.

“In other words, their courage and bravery in raising such issues or concern does not fall on deaf ears. In my capacity as the vice chair of the Senate Standing Committee on HEW, I urge you to please investigate this matter promptly and take appropriate actions to address any discrepancies identified during the oversight process,” said Magofna.