AN online petition is calling for an investigation into the sexual abuse allegations against Rep. Edwin K. Propst.
As of Monday evening, 40 individuals had signed the petition: https://www.change.org/p/legislature-women-empowerment-for-justice?redirect=false
Created by “Women Empowerment for Justice,” the petition states:
“We, the undersigned residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, petition the Speaker of the CNMI House of Representatives to establish a formal Ethics Committee to investigate the numerous allegations of sexual assault levied [against] Rep. Edwin K. Propst.”
The petition asks “that the Speaker of the House not allow a member of the House of Representatives to be above the law and the common decency of our community. Stand [up for] these victims and the hundreds of survivors of sexual assault throughout our community. No one is above the law.”
Asked for comment, Propst said, “I have and will continue to serve the good people of the Commonwealth despite these deplorable attacks.”
He also raised concerns regarding allegations against Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero.
“Where is the investigation into DPS Commissioner Robert Guerrero? There is a 25-page handwritten letter which, for some reason, has gone unanswered. This was not an allegation from 30 or 20 years ago. This was submitted two years ago to the Office of the Governor and the attorney general. Where is the headline news on that?”
Propst said the letter, which accuses Guerrero of sexually harassing a woman, was also submitted to the Senate prior to confirming Guerrero as DPS commissioner in 2019.
As for the allegations against Propst, the AG’s office on Jan. 13, 2021 stated that it declined prosecution because of the “passage of substantial time, expiration of the statute of limitations, and the desire of the [alleged] victims for confidentiality.”
On his Facebook page, Propst said the administration was trying divert attention from the ongoing House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations investigation into the governor’s public expenditures.
“I’m not going anywhere. The investigation into Ralph Torres will continue. Sorry, Ralph,” Propst said.
Edwin Propst
