Two seeks OPA top post

The Governor’s Office has received two applications so far for the Office of Public Auditor which will be vacated by its current chief, Leo L. LaMotte, by mid-December.

But Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio refused to name the two applicants, saying only that he is still looking for a replacement to head the crucial agency.

Mr. LaMotte resigned on Oct. 4, citing his need to devote more time with his family. The 63-year old official is scheduled to leave his post on Dec. 16.

“We are looking for a replacement. There are two applications at this time. Perhaps after the [effective date of] the resignation of Mr. LaMotte, I may be able to get some more applications,” the governor said.

Mr. Tenorio declined reporters’ questions asking for details of the pending applications and on whether he agrees with recommendation that Mr. LaMotte’s replacement should come from off-island.

“I don’t want to make any comment at this time,” he told reporters in an interview after signing two proclamations at the Administration Building in Capitol Hill.

The OPA position is appointed by the governor and is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Mr. LaMotte was named by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio to the critical post in July 1994. He was confirmed by senators only a year after his appointment.

He told reporters last week that he had recommended to the governor Wendell Harwell, a former public auditor of the American Samoan government, to replace him.

Mr. Harwell is in San Francisco working as certified public accountant but has expressed interest in working for the CNMI government, according to Mr. LaMotte.

The outgoing official has stressed the government should find a public auditor who is from outside the islands and is secure in his life in order to dispense his duties and responsibilities without being influenced.

Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano, chair of the powerful Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations that endorses governor’s nominees for confirmation by the Senate, has backed suggestion that an outsider should take the OPA post.

Mr. LaMotte’s resignation came after he apparently drew flak from the Tenorio administration for a news article where he said the CNMI government needs extra effort to fight graft and corruption in public service.

He noted the level of corruption on the islands is “quite intolerable.” Mr. LaMotte later wrote to the governor to clarify the statement, saying he did not characterize it as “rampant” and that he was misquoted by the reporter.