Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian, yesterday said his committee will meet next week to come up with the best recommendation to handle the controversy which also involves Attorney General Edward T. Buckingham who approved the contract despite admitting that the ethical issues involved were “troubling.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s inspector general said the contract may have breached CNMI procurement and ethics rules and should be deemed “null and void.”
Cruz said the outside attorney will focus its investigation on the AG’s office.
In this particular case, he added, the AG is the “main suspect” so Buckingham cannot participate in any investigation.
Cruz said he will strongly recommend to the other members of his committee to hire an outside attorney.
Asked about the funding source, Cruz said they will ask the Legislative Bureau to pay the lawyer.
It’s only appropriate to hire an independent attorney, he added.
Cruz said based on the inspector general’s report, there are violations.
And because it is the AG’s job to review all government contracts and it was the AG who approved the IPS contract, he should be the focus of the Senate oversight, Cruz added.
The other members of the committee are Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind-Rota; Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian; Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan; and Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota.
Cruz said he will discuss his proposal with Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, and see how the outside attorney can work closely with the Senate’s legal counsel during the investigation.
Manglona last week instructed Cruz to review the inspector general’s report and come up with findings and recommendations within 30 days.
The Senate president told Cruz that it is a “very important issue and I ask you committee to give its full attention to this issue.”
