In his letter to Public Auditor Michael Pai, the speaker said he wants to know “the propriety” of employees of Tinian government and the gambling commission receiving benefits from the Retirement Fund.
Tenorio also asked Pai to conduct the audit as soon as possible in light of the possible retirement of Tinian government employees, including gaming commissioners.
Citing a case between the federal government and then-Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja, Tenorio argued that the Tinian municipal government is a separate government agency and not part of the commonwealth government’s retirement program.
“This request is also made pursuant to both your constitutional duty as set forth in Article III, Section 12 of the CNMI Constitution which provides…that the public auditor shall audit the receipt, possession and disbursement of public funds,” Tenorio told Pai.
Although he knows the report may be issued on or before June 30 of each fiscal year, Tenorio is requesting Pai “to make all reasonable efforts to conduct the audit as soon as possible so as to prevent or mitigate any fraud, abuse or neglect of public funds that may be occurring.”
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz on Tuesday said Tenorio, should put together an economic recovery plan instead of getting back at those who opposed the Saipan casino proposal.
