“I have no comment on accusations and conclusions from an unnamed source. I do not speak for other members of the [AG’s Office] who may, in their discretion, choose to comment on this matter,” Buckingham said, in response to this reporter’s inquiry.
In an interview with KSPN 2, however, Buckingham said he did not commit an offense when he hosted the gathering for the Covenant Party’s candidate for U.S. delegate, Joseph James Norita Camacho, at the governor’s residence on Saturday night.
Buckingham said the gathering was a “voluntary event” and he doesn’t believe that it “would in any way” affect the election.”
The AGO provides legal advice to the election commission.
“We’re not candidates. We’re here to advice the election commission, [and] to monitor the election,” Buckingham said.
Asked by KSPN if he violated any federal or local law by hosting a political gathering, he replied: “[M]y reading of this is no. Again, government funds were not used. They were my personal funds. So my answer is no.”
Buckingham said he contacted U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the CNMI Alicia Limtiaco “to work…with the CNMI on the November election.”
This, he added, “will give the public increased confidence.”
“I think that would be good. I think the public has expectations for our office to be neutral and fair,” Buckingham said.
In an e-mail to Buckingham, a copy of which was furnished to the Variety, a resident said: “I am writing this email under a [pen name] as you are in a position to inflict negative professional consequences upon me should I reveal my identity. It is such a shame that, with a simple phone call, your superiors could wield their political sword and cut the legs from under my family. I pray for the day when CNMI citizens can voice concerns and opinions without fear of political retribution. We live on a beautiful island, yet our leaders employ such ugly tactics.”
The sender said “it is an incredibly dirty move to consider cutting Mrs. [Frieda] Demapan’s salary and letting her take the fall. People see though these things quite easily.”
It was Demapan, the AG’s executive assistant, who e-mailed the criminal division’s prosecutors and staffers regarding the political event.
According to the resident, “It is offensive to the electorate when you, as the highest law enforcement official in the commonwealth, pretend that you did not violate CNMI election law when the violation is so blatant. It is laughable when you act as though you are immune from laws such as the Hatch Act, which, as I’m sure you’re aware, precludes those who manage federal funds from actively participating in political campaigns. If Joe Camacho wins, can you imagine the storm of litigation that will ensue?
“If I was an opposing candidate, I would have lawyered up the second I heard that you were asserting yourself in the campaign in your capacity as the AG. You have used your position to influence this election. You commission your AAG’s to monitor each polling location to ensure that no irregularities occur, yet your office hosted a political rally for one of the candidates. You have tainted the election, and the public will have little confidence in the outcome as a result.”
According to the resident, “If the opposing candidates are smart, they will have already filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission. You framed the issue in the press as a mandatory v. non-mandatory event for your staff, but that’s not the point. The operative question is whether you used your title to further a candidate’s campaign. The answer is unequivocally yes. You may not ‘agree with some of the concerns that have been raised,’ but don’t fool yourself, you know deep down these concerns are legitimate.”
