He said the accusations against Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz affect the entire island community.
“The morale of the people are affected whether the allegations are true or not, but that’s not the end of it,” he said.
The mayor has been accused of misspending public funds and until this issue is addressed, the island may find it difficult to bring in new investors, the resident said.
The island’s image has suffered, the resident added.
Prospective investors also want to know the “moral disposition” of the officials they’re dealing with, the resident said.
“I am hoping this issue will be resolved and that the Tinian leadership will find ways to deal with this problem,” he said.
He said the Office of the Public Auditor, the Attorney General’s Office and federal agencies should get involved.
“It seems the media are investigating the case instead of government agencies which should act now,” he added.
A former Tinian gaming commissioner, Martin San Nicolas, has already asked OPA to investigate Dela Cruz.
Former Saipan municipal council member Felipe Q. Atalig, for his part, has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to step in.
The mayor has denied committing any wrongdoing.
The resident said the people should give the mayor the benefit of the doubt until a case is filed and the court comes up with a decision.
But if the allegations persist, it will affect not only the mayor’s family but the people of Tinian as well, the resident said.
