“Something, obviously, seems not right on the surface. The question now is this: whether the appearance of impropriety also means a violation of the law,” he told the Variety in an interview yesterday afternoon.
Sablan, who used to oversee the detention facility for illegal aliens, said it is his understanding that the U.S. Marshal Service and the CNMI Department of Corrections have signed a memorandum of understanding allowing federal detainees to be held at the local jail which was built through federal funds.
“I think the issue should shift away from [the masseuse, Qingmei Cheng] and focus on the people who controlled or were responsible for her,” the lawmaker added.
“The thing here is this. She’s in there for a serious charge. Not only was she attempting [to sneak into Guam]. She’s been identified as one of the organizers [of the illegal entry attempt],” he added.
Residents interviewed by this reporter said they have faith in the federal judicial system, which they expect to disclose the truth about Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s “request” to “transfer” a federal detainee to his residence more than two weeks ago.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands has scheduled the evidentiary hearing for Feb. 17.
Residents told this reporter they want to hear the governor’s explanation and that of the four correction officers who escorted Cheng to Fitial’s residence.
They are also eager to hear Cheng’s testimony.
House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, wrote a letter on Jan. 21 to Attorney General Edward Buckingham regarding the incident.
“The House Minority would like to know whether the governor authorized the release of a federal detainee for the purpose of receiving massage therapy. [D]id the governor violate any CNMI laws in the process? Finally, if the governor did violate a CNMI law, what has your office done in response to such violation,” the letter asked.
The AG’s office, which represents the governor in the federal court hearing, said Fitial did not violate any law.
