Gov. Benigno R. Fitial earlier said Willens is doing pro-bono work.
“The reason why the governor said it’s pro bono is because he’s not billing us on an hourly basis. Considering his caliber, that’s really a bargain,” Reyes said.
Willens is co-counsel of the law firm Jenner & Block in the governor’s lawsuit againts the federalization law.
“[Willens] is not getting any additional compensation for his work in this lawsuit,” Reyes told the Variety. “It’s really unfair to be critical of him.”
When asked why the administration described Willens as a volunteer when he’s being paid for his services, Reyes replied: “He’s a volunteer in the sense that he doesn’t bill for the hours that he spent for his additional work for the Pagan pozzolan mining project, the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument [and so on]. He’s done so much for this administration.”
Rep. Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, is seeking documents from the administration regarding any additional payments made to Willens.
Documents released last April upon the local court’s order showed that Willens was paid $48,000 a year for his legal services.
Willens was also entitled to receive up to $9,000 in airfare; a per diem allowance of $100 per day or $18,000 during his contract period; $1,000 a month or up to $9,000 for his transportation allowance; and additional billings of up to $12,000.
His current contract took effect on Sept. 12, 2008, the day the governor’s lawsuit was filed in the Washington, D.C. federal court.
Willens served as counsel to the NMI team that negotiated the Covenant with the U.S., and to the islands’ first and third Constitutional Conventions.
