![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Christina-Sablan-150x150.jpg\")
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Responding to questions of some netizens why the Office of the Public Auditor and Office of the Attorney General seem to be silent in the investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rep. Christina Sablan (Ind-Saipan) said yesterday it is her understanding that OPA played a central role in conducting this investigation against Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and several others.<\/p>\n
She is unsure, though, as to the Office of the Attorney General\u2019s involvement in the investigation.<\/p>\n
OPA has been working side by side with federal investigators for a long time, said Sablan.<\/p>\n
The lawmaker said photos of OPA investigators working with the FBI during the raids last month were even published by local media.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, of course, OPA won\u2019t comment on any ongoing case. Neither would the FBI,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With respect to the OAG, Sablan said she would hope that the OAG is supporting and assisting the investigation, particularly if violations of local laws are implicated.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter all, the OAG has a mandate to combat public corruption too,\u201d the lawmaker pointed out.<\/p>\n
Sablan recently stated that the CNMI House of Representatives has enough cause to open an inquiry\u2014independent of any criminal investigation\u2014related to the ongoing FBI probe of Torres and several others.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny impeachment process, should we come to that, would be separate from the criminal process, though evidence that is presented in criminal proceeding may be examined by the Legislature as well,\u201d she had said.<\/p>\n
Torres chief of staff, Angel Demapan, had taken issue with that, describing it as \u201cpolitical posturing\u201d and nothing more than self-serving talk. <\/p>\n
The House will hold a session today, Tuesday, at 10:30pm. Sources said the session \u201cwill be very interesting.\u201d Sources refused to elaborate. <\/p>\n
The FBI is looking into multiple possible violations of federal laws that involve Torres, his family, and Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC, and other persons, resulting in the execution of search warrants on several sites last Nov. 7 and 8. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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