Around the Islands

In April 2007 UMDA filed a civil suit against Robert Pfaff, John Larson, and a number of their associates and corporate entities in Superior Court of the CNMI to recover tens of millions of dollars in damages — plus punitive damages — for harm done to the company over a ten year period ending in 2006. Deloitte & Touche was named in the complaint at that time.

Pfaff and Larson are currently on trial in federal court in New York on charges of fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy in U.S. v. Stein — a case that has been characterized as the largest criminal inquiry into abusive tax shelters in the history of the United States. The trial is expected to conclude later this month.

Pfaff is also under separate criminal indictment in the same federal court in a case that is not yet scheduled for trial. This second indictment, relating to Pfaff’s alleged global criminal activities, corroborates many of the key allegations made by UMDA against Pfaff and his co-defendants in the civil suit pending in Superior Court in the CNMI.

UMDA President and CEO Russell Snow said, “UMDA is pleased to have reached such a beneficial settlement with our former auditor and accountant in this matter, so that we can aggressively pursue our claims against Mr. Pfaff and Mr. Larson. If the allegations in our civil complaint and the federal criminal indictment are true, then these men betrayed the trust of the people of Micronesia by enriching themselves at the expense of UMDA shareholders. UMDA will continue to cooperate with both the U.S. attorney in New York and CNMI governmental authorities to ensure that the truth comes out and that those responsible for damaging UMDA are held accountable for their actions.”

7 Head Start centers complete Motheread/Fatheread adult course

RECENTLY, 37 parent participants have completed the Motheread/Fatheread adult course at seven Head Start centers, a media release stated.

Site participants for each Head Start center prepared a closing activity for the 1 1/2 hour once a week, eight-week Motheread adult course.

The seven centers were:

• Oleai

• Garapan

• Dandan & San Antonio

• Kagman

• Chalan Kanoa

• Tinian

Motheread facilitators/trainers commented that more couples are attending and participating in this cycle. Parents are now more aware of their tremendous influence to their children’s educational well being and they want to have a positive impact by being actively participating in school activities and programs.

The successful completion of Motheread/Fatheread adult course session at secen Head Start centers will not be possible without the collaboration with the CNMI Head Start hardworking teachers, staff, and administrators.

Also instrumental to the success of Motheread program at the Head Start centers in this cycle were the inspired volunteerism spirit of the Americops volunteers in providing learning activities to the children of parents that participated in the Motheread adult course sessions.

The CNMI Motheread/Fatheread program recognizes the contributions of the Americorps site supervisors, most especially to Geri Willis, CNMI Americorps director, in supporting the Motheread program not only on Saipan but also on Tinian, and Rota.

For more information, call 235-7319, 285-1268, 286-7336 or fax 235-7550. Ask for Viola Deleon Guerrero, CNMI Motheread program coordinator, or Bryan Manabat, assistant coordinator.

You can also e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]

Crime of the week: Burglary, theft in Dandan

(DPS) — The Crime Stoppers program is seeking the community’s assistance for information on any of the persons responsible for the burglary and theft that occurred at a Dandan residence on Nov. 28, 2008 and was reported at 11:57 a.m.

According to preliminary investigation, police learned that an assigned government vehicle was burglarized and a firearm that was assigned to a police officer was stolen from the car.

It was also discovered that the car was unlock and the black waist pouch containing the Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun was missing, along with its magazines and issued ammunition. This case is still under investigation.

Those with information about this and other crimes are requested to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272.

Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Caller ID is not used and all calls remain anonymous.

Monday is deadline for full time employees scholarship

(NMC) — Full-time employees have until Monday, Dec. 15, to submit their application for the new scholarship offered by the CNMI Scholarship Office.

The scholarship is available to private and public sector employees who want to enroll as part-time students for Northern Marianas College’s Spring 2009 semester.

The scholarship funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, which means that the first 312 applicants who submit completed application packets (class schedule may be submitted at a later date) and who meet statutory requirements will be awarded.

Part-time applicants must submit the following to the CNMI Scholarship Office:

• 2008-2009 application (by December 15, 2008)

• Most recent official transcript

• Copy of passport and/or birth certificate with valid picture ID

• Acceptance Letter

• Provide proof of CNMI Residency for 2006 and 2007

• Submit Employment Verification showing full time employment in public or private sector

• Must be enrolled for 6-11 credits and maintain the same number of credits

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale

Scholarship applicants must also follow the same requirements under the Educational Assistance Program Rules and Regulations.

Applicants have until Feb. 28, 2009, to submit supporting documents. It is on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants are encouraged to complete their application packets as soon as possible.

Copies of the application form, the rules and regulations, and the memorandum of agreement can be downloaded by logging on to www.cnmischolarship.com, can be obtained from the CNMI Scholarship Office, or can be downloaded from NMC’s Web site at www.nmcnet.edu.

For more information and to learn about other applicable requirements, contact the CNMI Scholarship Office at 664-4750.

For more information about NMC’s degree and certificate programs, log on to www.nmcnet.edu.

UOG’s Underwood to discuss Marianas cultural diversity

(NMI Humanities Council) —The NMI Council for the Humanities will hold a unique and interesting community forum today, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the American Memorial Park Auditorium with guest speaker Dr. Robert Underwood, president of the University of Guam who will discuss “The Marianas Cultural Diversity: Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?”

Join a lively discussion about whether the cultural groups in the Marianas are truly melting together — as has been claimed through various marketing and promotional literature — or if they exist separately and within their own subgroups, like the ingredients of a salad bowl.

The community and local cultural associations and organizations are invited to go on stage and share their perspectives and experiences.

Student cultural groups from the local high schools are also invited to participate and share their views.

Underwood will serve as facilitator of the discussion and ask questions for the groups to consider, such as:

1. Do you believe that cultural melding does occur in the Marianas?

2. How are the different ethnic groups on the islands affecting each other?

3. How is the introduction of new cultures and traditions changing the Marianas?

4. What impact will the second or third generation of migrants have on the Marianas?

The event will be recorded on DVD for future reference and streamed live on the Internet on www.wethepeoplecnmi.com.

BON VOYAGE! On Dec. 27, Robert Hernandez, president of AK & Microl Toyota, will leave for his new assignment as regional director of Inchcape South America to oversee dealerships in Chile and Peru. From left, Hernandez, Microl staff Jennifer Mostales, Cheryl Esguerra and Mrs. Hernandez. Contributed photo 

NMC class to conduct presentation on federalization

(NMC) — The Principles of Democratic Institutions Class of Samuel McPhetres at Northern Marianas College will be conducting a brief presentation about the effects of federalization on the local immigration and labor laws and on the different residency status categories in the commonwealth.

The presentation will highlight answers to the frequently asked questions concerning federalization, such as what will happen to nonresident workers.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held today, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m., Room D-1, on the As Terlaje campus.

Kagman looking for vendors

(KKA) — The Kagman Komunidat Association is looking for interested vendors to sell food, clothing, games, and other types of family oriented entertainment for “Puengin Inetnon.”

“Puengin Inetnon” is Chamorro for “a night of gathering.”

It will be similar to the Thursday Night Street Market in Garapan except that it will be held every government payday Friday at the Kagman Community Center. Interested vendors, volunteers, and performers may call the Kagman Post Office at 256-POST for more information.

AED DONATION. The American Red Cross-NMI chapter donated an automated external defibrillator to the Tinian Health Center on Friday. In the photo are Red Cross board member Arley Long, 3rd right, board chairman Larry Lee, 4th right, health and safety coordinator Kennedy Benjamin, 4th left, Fred Hofschneider, acting deputy director of THC, 2nd right, and John Untalan of the Tinian Mayor’s Office, right, and staff of THC. Contributed photo

Toys for tots