Derek Duenas will be the interim chairman of the council, which manages the federally funded Call A Ride program. He succeeds John Arriola.
The board refused to disclose details of its discussions during a three-hour executive session that saw the participation of 16 individuals, including board members and program consumers.
The administration earlier revealed that there were allegations of “fiscal mismanagement and conflict of interest” in the council’s operation of the program.
Board members yesterday declined to comment when asked if they had retained Tony Chong as executive director.
The council said it will issue a “press statement.”
According to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr., the administration respects the council’s board decision.
Variety learned that the council earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with a non-profit group, CNMI Association for Families with Disabilities, for the operation of the Call-A-Ride program. The administration believes that there should have been a bidding process.
The council, according to the governor’s special assistant for disability policy and programs, Thomas J. Camacho, should not manage, operate and be directly involved in the services provided by the program.
