The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which executed several search warrants last Thursday, told the Torres administration that their search on Gov. Ralph DLG Torres\u2019 office was part of an investigation of \u201callegations.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, while the FBI has declined to divulge more details of its investigation and with the general lack of information surrounding the searches, Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan), who is with the House of Representatives opposition, believes it fair to say that corruption allegations are \u201cnot surprising.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not that surprising that there would be issues of possible corruption under investigation. There have been serious questions that concerned citizens, myself included, have been asking even before the Saipan Casino Act became law\u2014from the way that law has been passed up to other events that have transpired [since then],\u201d she said in an interview with Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment on the matter yesterday, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) replied that it was \u201csad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is sad. It is embarrassing as well, but anyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and so I am not going to presume that those people who have been questioned are guilty,\u201d he said, urging those who may have information to step forward to assist in the investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody in the Marianas who knows about any abuse, misuse, misappropriation of office, especially us, should speak out. Don\u2019t make things up and don\u2019t make community rumors run around. It\u2019s not fair to those who are being questioned. They are innocent until proven guilty,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
When asked what prompted the FBI searches, acting press secretary and chief of staff Angel Demapan just said: \u201c\u2026[The FBI] informed that it was part of an investigation of allegations. Unfortunately, no other details were provided to the administration at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an effort to preserve the integrity of the process, the administration continues to seek the community\u2019s patience and support to allow the system of justice to take its course,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Demapan assured that the Torres administration remains focused on continuing its operations and delivery of public services\u2014unimpeded by the investigation as it continues.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Blas Jonathan \u201cB.J.\u201d Attao (R-Saipan) is also in the dark on specifics surrounding the investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt came as a shock because we were walking into a session when the news came in,\u201d he said, replying to a question of how he received the news last Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Legislature had a joint session on Rota last Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly don\u2019t know [anything about the investigation] and we should respect the process and see where it goes from there. It is unfortunate for the Commonwealth and really unfortunate for the families involved,\u201d said Attao. \u201cIf we knew something, we could really say something about it, but it really is just a dark day for the CNMI. It is an unfortunate situation and we will see the outcome of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rep. Tina Sablan shared a similar reaction. \u201cMost of us [in the Legislature] learned about the searches either right before or during the [joint] session,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are a lot rumors and speculation about what might be going on, and still, we don\u2019t really know what the purpose of these searches was.\u201d<\/p>\n
[embedyt] https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6nvku9n0yTw&width=500&height=350[\/embedyt]<\/p>\n
FBI agents fanned out across Saipan last Thursday to execute the search warrants that included the Governor\u2019s Office, the office of Alfred Yue of Marianas Consultancy Services LLC, a consultant for Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC; Legend Realty Saipan; and the Torres Brothers at Law LLC. Even Torres\u2019 home and vehicle were reportedly searched.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have provided them with all the information and access that they have asked for, with the intent of being completely transparent and helpful in the investigation,\u201d Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios noted in a press conference Thursday afternoon, during which he affirmed that the FBI was searching Torres\u2019 office but did not specify the reason.<\/p>\n
An IPI statement released late Thursday said its companies in the CNMI have nothing to hide and will cooperate with law enforcement authorities.<\/p>\n
Even the name of former Northern Marianas College president Dr. Carmen Fernandez has been dragged into the fray. She is listed as a sole member of IPI CNMI.<\/p>\n
According to records at the U.S. District Court for the NMI, the U.S. Department of the Treasury-Internal Revenue Service filed last April 25 a notice of federal tax lien against Fernandez as IPI\u2019s sole member for unpaid employer\u2019s quarterly federal tax return in the amount of $65,706.<\/p>\n
Saipan Tribune was still trying to get comments from Fernandez as of press time yesterday.<\/p>\n
IRS said they are giving a notice that taxes (including interest and penalties) have been assessed against Fernandez. IRS said they have made a demand for payment of this liability, but it remains unpaid.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, there is a lien in favor of the United States on all property and rights to property belonging to this taxpayer for the amount of these taxes, and additional penalties, interest, and costs that may accrue,\u201d the IRS states in its notice of federal tax lien.<\/p>\n
IRS said Fernandez was assessed on March 6, 2017, and Nov. 5, 2018, for unpaid balance of assessment in the amount of $60 and $65,645 in employer\u2019s quarterly federal tax return for tax periods ending in Dec. 31, 2016 and March 31, 2018, respectively.<\/p>\n
Fernandez used to serve as Guam senator. She was NMC president from 2008 to 2010. She became NMC president again in September 2016. In August 2018, she opted not to renew her contract as NMC president which was supposed to expire on Oct. 3, 2018. (With Ferdie de la Torre)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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