Kara justifies hiring costs, offers to reimburse

Embattled acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara yesterday defended the travel expenses paid with government funds on a Seattle-based applicant for the chief of investigation post at the AG, saying the sensitive position requires personal interview to determine his capability to work on the island.

Kara also offered to reimburse the costs incurred by her action in response to growing criticisms following the discovery of the travel authorization (TA) signed by the governor on her recommendation.

“If I made a wrong decision with respect to this TA, I’m having it repaid under my paycheck. That’s how I feel strongly about it. I will pay for it,” she told in an interview.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez earlier has slammed the acting AG for the move at this time of deepening financial crisis of the commonwealth government because of the economic conditions here.

While Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio admitted authorizing the travel, he has put to task the AG to account for the expenses.

But Kara denied reports that more than $3,000 were spent using taxpayers’ money to bring in Joseph H. Race from the mainland to Saipan for interview with a team of AG officials.

Only the roundtrip ticket costing $1,821.50 was charged against CNMI account, while the per diem of $924.74 and car rental of $350 provided during Race’s stay here on November 13-20 were not used, according to Kara.

“Because of the job’s sensitivity, I felt that I did not want to bring an outsider that I did not personally interview,” she said, adding they needed to brief the applicant on local ways and culture before being accepted into the position.

Kara pointed out that four others, all of them based here and only one of whom is indigenous, had applied for the job but Race emerged as most qualified to handle the functions of the office which has been vacant since March.

She said Race has more than 22 years of experience as sheriff of the Los Angeles Police and Colorado Police. He has doctorate degree in Police Science and teaches in a university in the States.

“I thought that this was a justifiable use of the travel money given the sensitivity and responsibility involved in this position,” Kara explained.

“Could I have hired him over the phone? I could have but I chose not to because I want to be sure that he will be the right person for the job… capable of working with the culture,” she added.

Kara, however, admitted she opted against asking Race to shoulder the travel expense because it wouldn’t be “fair, especially given his level of qualifications.”

Although not a lawyer, the chief of investigation is tasked to assist the AG in developing cases for prosecution involving complex crimes in white collar jobs and corruption.

The current position is being held on an acting capacity by Al Teregeyo who had refused to take the job permanently when it was offered to him, according to Kara.

Presently, the investigation unit has five investigators who are all local. While one submitted application for the chief position, Kara said he lacked qualifications to fill in the position.

“To supervise this unit, we need someone experienced, we need someone knowledgeable to train and mentor these officers because this is a young unit established only three years ago,” she added.

But Senate Floor leader Pete P. Reyes, who has openly opposed Kara’s appointment as AG, expressed concern over spending public funds for non-government personnel like Race.

“It sends a very negative signal,” he told reporters in an interview. “Members of the Senate have looked at this with raised eyebrows. There is great concern.”