By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE former legal counsel of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Douglas Cushnie, admitted that there was overcharging that occurred during his term at the agency, according to CPA Executive Director Clyde K. Norita.
Variety was unable to get a comment from Cushnie yesterday.
Norita said they have asked the Office of the Public Auditor to expedite an audit and determine the amount that Cushnie has to pay back CPA.
“We want to know exactly how much we can secure for reimbursement,” Norita told Variety.
Cushnie, who was the CPA counsel for about four years, was paid $430,000 in 11 months covering Oct. 2005-Sept. 2006. CPA paid him $225 an hour.
“Although our former attorney has told us that there was overcharging done by his secretary, we need to get the exact amount and recover that loss,” Norita said.
Cushnie resigned in December after the CPA board reduced his work hours with the agency.
The lawyer earlier filed a complaint in Superior Court against his former secretary, Lucy M. Deleon Guerrero, for converting and using his money without his knowledge and permission.
The complaint stated that at certain times, during the secretary’s employment with Cushnie, she received funds in cash and checks from his clients, forged his name on checks received and negotiated these checks for her own benefit converting and using these funds for her own use without the knowledge or permission of the plaintiff.
Norita said they are also trying to recover nearly $500,000 in CPA payroll money from Information Data System, which used to prepare the agency’s payroll.
“The case against IDS is now with the Attorney General’s Office and OPA. They are preparing the documents for a formal charge,” he said.