THE House Special Committee on Federal Assistance & Disaster-Related Funding on Wednesday found former Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig in contempt after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right in response to questions about the $17 million, federally funded Building Optimism, Opportunities and Stability Together or BOOST program.
Atalig, with his lawyer, Bruce Berline, appeared again before the special panel, which resumed its meeting at 2 p.m.
Atalig, who also appeared before the committee on Tuesday, continued to plead the Fifth in response to all questions pertaining to the implementation of the BOOST program two years ago.
Toward the end of the meeting, Rep. Marissa Flores moved to find Atalig in contempt. She said Atalig was asked questions that he refused to answer under oath in violation of 1 CMC 1306(a).
In addition, she said the special committee has seen evidence that Atalig, in his capacity as the former secretary of Finance, “willfully interfered with the investigation of the joint House Judiciary and Governmental Operations and Ways and Means Committees of the 22nd Legislature.”
Flores further moved that they ask the attorney general, through Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, to prosecute Atalig in a court of law.
On Wednesday, the members of the special committee asked Atalig about the BOOST grant applications he personally submitted on behalf of his son, Cameron, and other family members. One of these BOOST applications was for $520,000 for Cameron’s Dash Car Wash that was submitted on Nov. 18, 2022. Dash Car Wash was awarded $200,000 in BOOST funds on Dec. 12, 2022.
The special committee also presented documents indicating that Atalig’s stepson, Jesse A. Deleon Guerrero, applied for $360,000 in BOOST funds for his Marianas Post Express. But according to the special committee, it was unclear if Deleon Guerrero received BOOST funds.
The special committee said Atalig’s sister-in-law, Sherry Pangelinan, and her husband Dominic, applied for $400,000 in BOOST funds and received $200,000 for their Maga’ Lahe Grill restaurant. They were also awarded $125,000 in BOOST money for D&D Fish Market.
In addition, the special committee presented documents showing that Atalig’s sister, Carlene Atalig Mitchell, was awarded $125,000 in BOOST funds for The Trove.
Rep. Vincent Aldan cited Section 8531 of the CNMI Government Code of Ethics, which prohibits public officials from using their office to give any other person unwarranted privilege including private financial gain.
The special committee also found three former BOOST contractors in contempt for refusing to answer questions regarding the program: Shayne Villanueva, Rob Travilla and Salina Sapp. All invoked their Fifth Amendment privilege when asked questions about BOOST.
The other members of the special committee who attended the meeting on Wednesday were its chairman, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, vice chairman, House Floor Leader Edwin Propst, Reps. Diego Vincent Camacho, Blas Jonathan Attao, Vicente Camacho, and Angelo Camacho. Rep. John Paul Sablan was excused.
Former Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig, right, with his lawyer, Bruce Berline.
Rep. Vincent Aldan asks former Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig — not in photo — a question.
