Michael Ernest is moving to the office’s civil division as assistant attorney general.
Acting Attorney General Gregory Baka certified Ernest’s exemption from the annual salary cap on May 14.
“Mr. Ernest will be employed as an assistant attorney general for the civil division with an annual salary of $65,000 exceeding the $50,000 cap set by the Commonwealth Compensation Adjustment and Salary Act of 1991,” wrote Baka.
On May 19, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos in his capacity as acting governor, subsequently issued a separate certification exempting Ernest from the annual government salary cap.
The Senate said it wasn’t advised yet about the exact date of Ernest’s official transfer to the AG’s office.
Ernest was the law clerk for CNMI Supreme Court Associate Justice John A. Manglona before he moved to the Senate as legal counsel a few years ago.
