Martin San Nicolas, in his complaint dated Jan. 23, 2011, told Public Auditor Michael Pai that there should be a formal investigation into Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz’s handling of public funds.
“It is unfortunate that during these times of great distress for our people, he continues to exploit our meager funds for excessive travelling, to and from Saipan,” San Nicolas said, referring to the mayor.
He said Felipe Atalig’s Open Government Act request has “exposed questionable purchase orders of alcohol, brake pads, travel advances and edible panties.”
In an interview, Dela Cruz said he welcomes the complaint of San Nicolas since he has nothing to hide.
He said he has asked OPA to audit his office.
“I am not the type of person that will pocket money,” he said, adding that all his travel expenses are justified.
Dela Cruz said San Nicolas complaint is a “personal vendetta” because the mayor turned down San Nicolas’ request for a street light on his farm.
The former Tinian gaming commissioner also wanted the mayor to ask municipal council members Joseph SN. Cruz and Estevan Cabrera to resign, Dela Cruz.
The mayor said he turned down this request because the two are elected officials.
San Nicolas, in his complaint to OPA, also cited the recent travel of the mayor to South Korea paid by Neo Gold Wings Paradise, a hotel-casino investor.
“It is a conflict for an official to expose himself to bribery that leads to corruption,” San Nicolas said.
“As residents and taxpayers, it is our right that elected officials are held accountable for their actions and that abuse be exposed,” he added.
Warning
The Tinian municipal council, for its part, was warned against confirming the appointment of Don A. Farrell to the Tinian gaming commission.
Former Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council member Felipe Atalig said there’s a conflict of interest if the Tinian council will confirm Farrell’s appointment.
Atalig said it “alarms” him that Dela Cruz may be attempting to appoint his brother-in-law, Farrell.
He said this is another act of nepotism by the mayor.
But Dela Cruz said he will no longer appoint a new commissioner due to lack of funding. A commissioner gets about $100,000 a year in salary and benefits. The commission has five seats, three of which remain vacant.
Atalig said that if any council members vote to confirm Farrell, he will sue them.
“It is [also] clearly unethical to hold the municipal council chairmanship if you are currently hired under the very administration you are supposed to watch over,” Atalig said, in his letter to council chairman Patrick Manglona, vice chairman Estevan Cabrera and council secretary Joseph SN. Cruz.
Cabrera is deputy resident director of public works while Cruz is deputy resident director of land and natural resources.
He said pursuant to the Government Ethics Code, codified at 1 CMC § 8535 (a), Cruz and Cabrera are in direct conflict of interest if they vote to confirm Farrell.
Atalig said he is informing the council of their fiduciary duty.
