THE Office of the Public Auditor says the number of government officials who failed to file their financial statements as of May 31 has increased by 206 percent.
From 15 late filers for calendar year 2000, the figure went up to 46 for 2001.
Public Auditor Mike Sablan said 551 government officials are required to file their financial statements this year.
While the original deadline for filing was on May 1, the Government Ethics Code Act of 1992 provides a 30-day grace period, but 46 officials still failed to comply with the requirement.
The original deadline was May 1—150 failed to meet it.
The cumulative late filing penalty is $120 per late filer.
Sablan said the increase can be attributed to the change in administration and changes in the board directorships this year.
“Many filers were unsure of the requirement to file. This is particularly the case for individuals who are no longer working in the government or serving on boards and commissions,” Sablan told Variety.
OPA, according to Sablan, sent out notices and reminders, and made direct telephone calls as early as April to clarify the filing requirement and encourage filers to meet the deadline.
Of the 46 total late filers, 12 government officials filed their financial statements between May 31 June 7 and paid the late penalties of $10 per day, said Sablan.
The penalties are paid directly to the CNMI treasurer.
Sablan said 34 filers had not filed as of June 7.
Out of this number, five are from Rota, eight from Tinian, 19 from Saipan, and two others are either currently off-island or officials from the Northern Islands.
The law requires elected and appointment officials, including judicial officers, department secretaries, directors, deputy directors, members of boards and commissions and task forces, to submit their annual financial statements.
Also required to file are government employees who received additional compensation in calendar year 2001 either for professional services rendered to, or as an independent contractor for, the CNMI government.
