THE Office of the Attorney General has filed a fourth amended information in Superior Court against Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig.
Efraim Atalig
Asked about the amended information, Chief Prosecutor John Bradley on Tuesday said: “We amended count one to allege a different theory of official misconduct, based on improper approval of per diem for days not spent on official business.”
Bradley did not elaborate.
The fourth amended information stated: “On or about June 1, 2018 to November 27, 2018, on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Efraim Atalig committed misconduct in public office as prohibited by 6 CMC § 3202: Defendant, being a public official and acting under the color of Defendant’s public office, committed an illegal act by violating 1 CMC § 8534 when Defendant willfully and knowingly improperly approved travel and/or travel costs for nongovernmental employees or governmental employees who were not traveling for government purposes, to wit: Conner Mendiola, Efrain Atalig, Rita Garces, and Barbara Hocog.”
Misconduct in public office is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $1,000.
Initially, the Rota mayor and seven of his current and former resident directors were charged by the AG’s office with misconduct in public office in connection with their attendance in a Republican campaign rally on Guam.
Atalig’s co-defendants have already disposed the cases against them through a plea agreement or by participating in an adult diversion program.
The mayor is the only remaining defendant in the local case.
In federal court, the mayor and his girlfriend, Evelyn Atalig, were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and making a false statement, but a jury found them not guilty of all charges in August 2020.
