Willens earned $168K in ‘06-‘07

Although he offers his legal services for free, Howard Willens, the governor’s special legal counsel, received close to $96,000 in 2006 and $72,000 in 2007 in compensation and reimbursement from the Commonwealth government, according to his contracts.

A change order obtained shows the revised contract amount for this fiscal year is $84,000.

Under the contract, Willens, who is representing the CNMI in the federalization lawsuit against the U.S. government, receives $12,000 per quarter but has agreed to provide his professional services for free.

The CNMI government reimburses Willens for airfare between Saipan and Washington D.C. four times a year. The airfare is for coach rate and is not to exceed $3,000 per trip. While on Saipan, Willens is reimbursed for the use of a rental car not to exceed $1,000 per month.

The special counsel also receives a per diem of $100 per day for 60 days each quarter. This money is to cover the costs of lodging, meals and miscellaneous expenses while in the Commonwealth.

As special legal counsel, Willens provides his services to the Office of the Governor from time to time, according to the contract. He also has the title of assistant attorney general in order to serve as CNMI counsel in cases relating to public lands.

Charles Reyes, press secretary for the Governor’s Office, said Willens is an independent contractor with a professional services contract, not a government employee.

“The contract speaks for itself, and does not mention ‘salary,’” the press secretary said in an e-mail.

In his February 2006 justification memorandum to the director of Procurement and Supply, Gov. Benigno Fitial noted that Willens is an active member of the Commonwealth Bar Association and a graduate of Yale Law School. In addition, he served as counsel to the Marianas Political Status Commission from 1972 to 1976; counsel to the First Constitutional Convention in 1976; and the Third Constitutional Convention in 1995-1996.

“He is qualified to perform the scope of work set forth in the independent contractor agreement. The proposed agreement is a cost effective means of providing the governor access to a uniquely qualified lawyer who has volunteered to work without any monetary or other compensation for his professional services,” Fitial wrote in the memorandum.

Willens’ contracts were released to Rep. Tina Sablan after she sued Fitial and Finance Secretary Eloy Inos to obtain documents relating to the federalization lawsuit. The CNMI is suing the U.S. government to halt the extension of U.S. immigration laws to the Northern Mariana Islands.