“I was not at the party. As I let the election commission know at our last meeting, I did not attend the party because I did not want any perceived notion of bias. Therefore, I declined the invitation once I realized that [former Rep.] Joe Camacho would be attending because of my position as election counsel,” Hassel-Shearer said in an e-mail to the Variety.
She added, “My role as legal counsel for the election commission is upon request to give the commission legal advice. The commission, based on my advice and their own opinions, makes decisions.”
As legal counsel, Hassel-Shearer said, “I do not oversee, I do not monitor an election, rather I provide legal advice for my client — the election commission.”
“As stated at the previous meeting, all my legal advice concerning this upcoming election will be given on the record and not in executive session as to provide further comfort to the public that this election like all others is free and fair,” said Hassel-Shearer, who is currently off-island.
Upon the recommendation of Buckingham, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial appointed Hassel-Shearer to “direct the activities” of the AG’s Office “related to the November election with the full authority of the” AG.
The Office of the Public Auditor is now looking into the several complaints filed against Buckingham for hosting the “meet and greet” event.
Buckingham, who said he did not violate any law, has recused himself from any involvement in the November election.
The AG’s Office provides legal advice to the election commission.
