KPress Vol. 17 Iss. 07
Jaynes, Bill (2017-03-13). KPress Vol. 17 Iss. 07 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:XDFT6H5Z.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 17 Iss. 07: NEWS: Pohnpei filed a civil action against Chief Justice Dennis K. Rodriguez as FSM voters went to the polls in an election in which a proposal on dual citizenship failed to pass voter scrutiny; additional reporting notes accusations that a Pohnpei State employee stole $5,000, demands by Pohnpei Port pilots for fairer compensation commensurate with the risks they take, with pilots warning they would suspend services if terms were not improved, and the filing of human trafficking charges by the FSM Government against a Pohnpeian and an American; community coverage reports that the Pohnpei Women Advisory Council (PWAC) celebrated International Women’s Day in Pohnpei from March 4–8, 2017, under the theme “Pledge for Parity,” translated into the local vernacular, with activities including a community cleanup outside the Pohnpei State Hospital, tree and flower planting, and a public celebration held March 8 at the Pohnpei Track and Field grounds; legal reporting details that the Pohnpei Attorney General’s Office filed Civil Action No. PCA 154-17 in the Pohnpei Supreme Court against the Chief Justice seeking financial remuneration and declaratory judgments on multiple claims, including allegations that in 2011 $322.20 in public funds were paid to Genesis Pharmacy for the defendant’s personal medical bill, that between 2009 and 2016 the Chief Justice attended twelve Pacific Islands Education Programs with travel expenses funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Government, and that an account was allegedly illegally opened in 2009 and maintained at the Bank of Guam; four counts in the civil action allege breach of fiduciary duty, asserting that as Chief Justice the defendant owed Pohnpei State and its people a duty of utmost care, honesty, loyalty, good faith, and fidelity in the management and use of public funds, with one count alleging that in April 2011 the Chief Justice approved a travel authorization of $2,142 for his wife to accompany him to Manila during a medical referral covered by MiCare; the civil action seeks compensatory damages of $5,902.58, punitive damages, interest, and other relief; OPINION / EDITORIAL: commentary notes that the civil claims correspond to allegations previously raised by the Attorney General in a letter to the Pohnpei State Legislature suggesting possible impeachment action against the Chief Justice, reports a lack of response from legislators to requests for comment, and includes election coverage in which National Election Director Tony Otto transmitted certified results to President Peter Christian, explaining delays due to late submission from Chuuk State; additional opinion material addresses disputes over proposed port pilot contracts, noting that the proposed revenue-sharing terms mirrored those agreed to five years earlier and that pilots, represented by Ramp & Mida Law Firm, requested a public hearing, recalling that when pilot operations began in 2000 the revenue split was 90 percent to pilots and 10 percent to the Pohnpei Port Authority.
