Activities that reflect questionable ethics was seen with the former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez who resigned in August 2007. His departure from the highest law enforcement office in the U.S. government stemmed from the allegations of pressuring and having several U.S. attorneys terminated for political reasons.
Another example reflecting questions regarding political character and ethics is the recent accusation that John McCain’s running mate Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska abused her power in trying to coerce Walter Monegan, the Alaska public safety commissioner, to terminate an Alaska state trooper, who happen to be going through a messy divorce with Palin’s sister. According to the media, when Commissioner Monegan did not fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, he was fired. The recent hiring of an attorney to defend Palin in the investigation implies that the situation is not a minor one.
Interestingly, the recent removal of the public safety commissioner in the CNMI, is strikingly similar to what transpired in Alaska. When Clyde Norita was asked to step down, he went public and told the media he believed Ray Mafnas, senior policy advisor, was instrumental in terms of orchestrating his termination by Governor Fitial. The important question that needs to be posed is: Was Mafnas involved with the termination of any other public employees?
The most recent activity in the CNMI regarding the abuse of power of a high-ranking public official is the allegation of Timothy Villagomez, lt. governor, coercing a CUC employee with an activity that resulted in an indictment issued by the Department of Justice. According to the media, the former CUC Executive Director Anthony Guerrero, who Villagomez supposedly coerced into the purchase of chemicals and misuse of federal funding, is expected to testify against Villagomez in federal court.
The individuals who are elected and/or appointed to public office presumably understand the ramifications of any questionable activity reflecting character and ethics. The ones who roll the dice with being involved with these activities are gambling on paying the price should the activity be made public. The ultimate price paid by these individuals will be their career being completely destroyed and coming to a screeching halt.
For those public servants who have squeaky clean records in terms of character, ethics, and values going into or while in office, don’t need to worry about any in-depth scrutiny by the media or people of the community. No doubt, those individuals will probably sleep better at night…
The electorate does not deserve or need public servants who are lacking in terms of solid character, ethics, and values. And if public servants who choose to partake in questionable activities while on the public payroll believe they are above the law in terms of what they are doing, then they are not fit to remain in their positions and should be asked to resign if they do not do so voluntarily.
DR. JESUS D. CAMACHO
Delano, California
