DOF: Agulto stands ready
Department of Finance Secretary Tracy Norita, in response to a subpoena against CNMI Treasurer Asuncion S. Agulto regarding a trust account that was opened by the previous administration using American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $225 million, said a subpoena was never required as Agulto stands ready to answer any questions.
Last Monday, a Senate special committee on the Bank of Guam investment account ($225 million) and ARPA spending plans for the CNMI voted in favor of issuing a subpoena against Agulto to answer questions regarding a trust account opened by the previous administration using ARPA funds in the amount of $225 million.
During a budget hearing before the House Special Committee on Ways and Means, Norita said DOF’s doors are open and a subpoena was never required for the Legislature to get information needed.
“The DOF has always tried to be as responsive as possible to the requests of the Legislature. A subpoena was never required for us to provide or open up our doors for any meeting regarding any documentation requests,” she said.
In addition, Norita said DOF received an Open Government Act request from the Senate pertaining to the investment account and all bank statements have been provided. However, Nortia said Agulto stands ready if the Senate has additional questions.
“An OGA request was submitted to our office regarding the investment account, and we provided all the bank statements and related material to that senate request. If further questions need to be asked, director [Agulto] stands ready,” she said.
Previously, Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) made an Open Government Act request to the Department of Finance regarding any information about the trust account that was opened by the previous administration using ARPA funds in the amount of $225 million.
The Senate president said it was important to know which funds are still available to provide necessary services to the people.
Last April, Norita said the ARPA funds were deposited in the Bank of Guam in 2021 but were depleted in 2022.
Sen. Karl King-Nabors (R-Tinian), who chairs the special committee dedicated to this matter, said the Senate president wrote Norita a letter on April 19, seeking her cooperation by providing a written authorization for the bank to release requested documents. However, he said, “no response has been received” from the Finance secretary.
Since the special committee was created, King-Nabors said they have reviewed all the documents provided by Finance.
King-Nabors said the committee is now in a position to bring in several witnesses for questioning.
Tracy B. Norita
