Finance Secretary Eloy S. Inos, in his reply to Taotao Tano’s inquiry, also disclosed that attorney Deanne Siemer was appointed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial as a special hearing officer to adjudicate and close pending labor cases dating back to 1997.
Inos said Siemer engaged the services of independent paralegal firms that provided specialized, trained staff for reviewing case files, preparing documentation, organizing and staffing hearings, publishing orders, and assisting with other required functions of the hearing office.
According to Inos, the Case backlog project cost the government $$36,018.
For supplies and advertising expenses, a legal requirement for the adjudication and closure of labor cases, the government spent $1.90 per case for a total of $9,430, Inos said.
Gregorio Cruz, Taotao Tano’s president, said the Inos’ report was not “satisfactory” and “unjustifiable.”
“There must be more than the amount they disclosed,” Cruz said, as he urged Inos to be more transparent and report all the details and information regarding Siemer’s expenses.
Cruz also questioned the hiring of paralegal personnel, saying this might not allow Labor to establish a strong case.
He said Inos also did not reveal Siemer’s travel and lodging expenses.
For travel and lodging expenses of Howard Willens, the governor’s special legal counsel and Siemer’s husband, Inos said the government is spending $48,000 annually.
Willens’ airfare amounts to $12,000. He also get $100 per diem for housing and food per day while in the CNMI and a ground transportation allowance of $1,000 per month only while on island.
Inos said Willens is reimbursed for actual expenses and incurred only while in the the commonwealth, except for limited travel — airfare cost only — to Washington, D.C. once a quarter.
“Mr. Willens is not paid any salary by the commonwealth,” Inos said. “He provides his services without compensation and is reimbursed only for part of his expenses. Mr. Willens meets his own expenses for paralegal and law clerk services for commonwealth legal projects, supplies for commonwealth work, and other unreimbursed travel expenses while on commonwealth business.”
Cruz said he will “dig” for more information regarding the expenses of the CNMI government on the lawsuit filed by the governor against the federal government and the adjudication of local labor cases.
