GOVERNOR David M. Apatang has terminated the CNMI government’s contracts with Washington, D.C.-based adviser Fred Radewagen and lobbying firm Prime Policy Group.
In his Aug. 18, 2025 letter, the governor advised Radewagen that, in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of his policy consultant contract with the Office of the Governor, “these contracts are hereby terminated for convenience as required by the interests of the Commonwealth.”
As such, the governor told Radewagen that he, as consultant, may not incur any further obligations in connection with the terminated contracts. Radewagen may also submit a termination claim specifying any amounts due, supported by cost or pricing data, the governor said.
In an interview on Friday, Apatang said the CNMI government had two contracts — one with the lobbying firm, “and Radewagen’s also.”
“But I just terminated their contracts. We don’t have the money. It’s too expensive. We cannot afford that, you know,” the governor said, stressing that “we have a delegate there in Washington, D.C.”
“Anything we need, we should go to our delegate. That is why we elected a delegate,” he added, referring to U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
About two years ago, then-Gov. Arnold I. Palacios hired Radewagen as his federal policy adviser under a $50,000 contract to advise on policies and assist the governor with engagements at federal agencies in Washington, D.C.
Radewagen is the husband of Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, the American Samoa’s Republican delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Regarding Prime Policy Group, Palacios said in May that the firm was an “absolute necessity” for the CNMI. He explained that his decision to invest $50,000 in the lobbying firm’s services “was not made lightly,” adding that “the cost of inaction or inadequate representation in Washington, D.C. right now would be far greater for the people of the Commonwealth.”
