OIA backs Schorr • Director Aranza unperturbed by move to declare field rep persona non grata
The Office of Insular Affairs is standing by its liaison officer in the CNMI Jeffrey Schorr despite moves in the Legislature to call for his ouster in the wake of allegations of on-the-job political activities and smear campaign directed against the islands.
Breaking his silence for the first time in three weeks since the report by U.S. House Resources Committee Chair Don Young (R-Alaska), OIA Director Ferdinand Aranza defended his field representative who is facing “condemnation and censure” by local lawmakers.
He said the allegations, contained in May 15 memorandum issued by Mr. Young to Resources Committee members, are not new.
The OIA chief, however, assured there are ongoing investigations separate from the congressional probe, which the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General and the Office of Personnel Management have started in an effort to shed light on the report.
“The Department is cooperating with each of the investigations and will take appropriate action, if any is warranted, when the investigations are complete,” Mr. Aranza said in a statement sent to news agencies.
Throwing his support behind Mr. Schorr, he described as “shortsighted” efforts by the local legislators to denounce him for his participation in the alleged unlawful activities.
“Mr. Schorr is a dedicated public servant who does an excellent job keeping key policy makers in Washington advised of the economic and development needs of the Commonwealth,” said Mr. Aranza.
“He is a key link in the chain of decision-making which has brought millions of dollars to the CNMI. It seems to us that the legislature is shortsighted in its current endeavors as they relate to Mr. Schorr. He has been a very good friend for many years, and he continues to provide valuable services,” he added.
Mr. Aranza then reiterated his policy to work “closely and cooperatively” with the island government to advance mutually beneficial objectives despite their differences on labor and immigration issues in the CNMI.
OIA’s liaison officer here has come under fire since Mr. Young implicated him in the alleged partisan political activities by some officials and employees at the Interior department which involved the office’s policy towards the Commonwealth.
The U.S. lawmaker said these activities could constitute as violations of the Hatch Act prohibitions against political campaigning by federal employees using government time and resources.
Mr. Schorr has allegedly obtained confidential memo between the CNMI and its Washington lobbyists from Preston Gates from a “source on the island” and passed them onto his bosses in Washington to discredit Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress who are sympathetic to the island’s conditions.
The CNMI House of Representatives is expected to conduct its own investigation into the report while deliberating on a resolution offered by Speaker Benigno R. Fitial seeking Mr. Schorr’s removal from the CNMI and declaration as persona non grata .
In a separate move, the Senate is also likely to adopt its own resolution to pressure OIA to replace Mr. Schorr with a new liaison officer whom, according to Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, the CNMI can trust.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has kept his hands off these twin legislative actions as he expressed hope that OIA would take appropriate actions against its officials and employees who would be found guilty as charged.