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You basically said it all and ask the same questions that I was thinking while reading the articles.
It is a great possibility that many, if not all of the individuals that were involved in these different fund shortages are presently working in this administration or one of the agencies as a political hire.
That is a good article and leaves a lot open for a later time.

We could use some more aggressive reporting by our local newspapers. This information isn't secret. Well, I don't think it is--but even then an Open Government Act request might be a means of getting the information.

I also realize that sometimes OPA finds problems that are more paperwork than performance issues. This is especially true on the travel documentation, which goes missing a lot of the times, and not always by the traveler (sometimes after the appropriate paperwork has been turned in!). So the travel could have been done actually at the stated price and for the stated purpose and with a real benefit to the CNMI, and OPA will still show a problem as existing.

But that needs to be clarified. And reported on. And for the REAL problems, go after the money and prosecute the crimes.

jmho.

Geez, you've got "Gangsta's Paradise" running through my noggin (No, I'm not maligning anyone, I just thought of the song). Actually, now it's the Weird Al parody.

I blog because I yam, but really don't expect to change the world... pretty much the conclusion I came to when I was a reporter.

And we all love to shout "I'm mad as hell..."

I got this great comment via e-mail. It's too good not to add it here. I hope someone sees it and pays attention!

"I am writing this in response to your recent blog post about OPA referrals of cases involving suspected government fraud, waste, or corruption to the AGO, and the dismal results of such referrals to the AGO.

Where such matters are viewed as priorities, responsible and prudent attorneys general usually recruit and hire dedicated lawyers having specialized skill, knowledge, training, and experience to handle cases involving suspected government fraud, waste, or corruption exclusively.

When Pam Brown was the AG, she specifically designated deputy AG Clyde Lemons, Jr., who had previously served as the chief prosecutor, to handle "public corruption" cases. (See http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=33290). Subsequently, he did handle a number of such cases against current and former public officers and employees. Although the resources available to deputy AG Lemons were extremely limited, many old / stale OPA referrals were closed around that time, on the basis that criminal prosecutions and/or civil actions against the alleged responsible parties were barred by the applicable statutes of limitations and/or the doctrine of laches; some cases were rejected because key witnesses were no longer available; and a number of other cases were declined or deferred due to perceived deficiencies in OPA's investigations and the quantity or quality of the evidence gathered, which practically eliminated or greatly diminished the chances of success.

When Mona Manglona was the AG, it was proposed that one or more of the OPA staff attorneys be designated as "special" assistant attorneys general, for the purpose of handling cases involving suspected government fraud, waste, or corruption. However, that proposal was rejected by the former public auditor, who apparently did not wish to undertake the burdens and responsibilities associated with prosecuting "public corruption" cases that had been investigated and referred by his office to the AGO.

When Rob Torres was the AG, he recruited a lawyer who had specialized in handling "public corruption" cases in his home state. However, that lawyer left Saipan soon after his arrival in 2002, and unfortunately, Rob Torres' resignation from the AGO occurred shortly thereafter.

My recommendations are:

1. That the current AG recruit and hire a dedicated legal specialist to handle "public corruption" cases exclusively.
2. That the current AG pursue a memorandum of understanding with the public auditor, to designate OPA's staff attorney as a "special" assistant attorney general for the purpose of handling cases involving suspected government fraud, waste, or corruption.
3. That sufficient resources be committed by the AGO / OPA / AGIU to enable the aforementioned designees to effectively investigate and prosecute criminal and civil cases involving suspected government fraud, waste, or corruption.
4. That the statutory remedies, civil money penalties, and criminal penalties against public officers and employees who engage in fraud, waste, or corruption be significantly increased by the CNMI legislature, that the elements of liability be redefined where necessary, and that the statutes of limitations be amended to extend the limitation periods provided in such cases.
5. That the proposed initiative to change from gubernatorial appointment of the AG, with consent of the senate, to an elected AG, be presented to an informed CNMI electorate to decide whether an elected AG would be preferable.

A great commonwealth holds public officers and employees accountable for the consequences of their fraud, waste, and corruption. Imagine a great commonwealth."