(Press Release) — Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said he is disappointed, but not surprised, by the recent revelation that Senate Impeachment Hearing Officer and Tinian Sen. Karl K. Nabors sought advice from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ attorney, Viola Alepuyo, as he and Executive Appointments & Government Investigations Chairman Francisco Q. Cruz developed rules for the governor’s impeachment trial.
On Friday, Sen. Paul A. Manglona questioned the propriety of having the impeached official’s lawyer providing advice to the Senate on the rules for the upcoming impeachment trial.
“Had it not been for the courage of the individual or individuals who saw this misdeed, and advised accordingly, we would never know the extent of the impropriety conducted by the Senate committees, its attorney and Governor Torres,” said Lt. Governor Palacios.
In response to Senator Manglona’s letter, Senator Nabors admitted that he sought Alepuyo’s advice as she is a close family friend who usually provides him with counsel. Nabors further pointed out that Alepuyo was not Governor Torres’ attorney at the time he sought her advice. Attorney Joe McDoullet was already the special counsel for Impeachment at the time Senator Nabors presented Alepuyo with the draft rules and sought her advice.
“Senator Nabors misses the point of having an open government law. It is to allow all interested parties an opportunity to provide input on legislative rules, bills and reports. He did not do that here. Instead, he gave the advantage to Governor Torres,” said Lt. Governor Palacios.
Attorney Alepuyo is the board chair of the Marianas Visitors Authority and represented several members of Governor Torres’ administration before the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee. Attorney Alepuyo is also one of several legal counsels for Governor Torres at the impeachment trial.
“The fact that Ms. Alepuyo represents Governor Torres’ administration alone, should have been enough warning that any communication with her about the impeachment rules was improper, let alone the fact that the issue of impeachment and transparency are hot topics in our community. Transparency is the issue,” Palacios said.
Earlier this month the Senate abruptly adjourned its first session on impeachment rules after Sen. Paul Manglona and Sen. Victor Hocog argued over the limiting of public comments at the session. A review of the Senate YouTube channel showed Senate President Jude Hofschneider interrupting the speakers as they were commenting on the impeachment rules. Senator Nabors, who was present at the session, did not disclose that he already provided the draft rules to Attorney Alepuyo.
“To say that Attorney Alepuyo was involved in the drafting of the rules was an oversight is immaterial. This calls into question the integrity of the entire pre-impeachment trial and impeachment trial process. I challenge the Senate to heed to the governor’s call for a ‘fair and impartial trial.’ I would only ask the senators to put the integrity of our institutions and the interests of our people first,” the lt. governor said.
Arnold I. Palacios
