MPLA says no need for subpoena

The Marianas Public Lands Authority has responded to the House of Representatives investigation committee’s request for documents as early as June 4, MPLA chair Ana Demapan-Castro said yesterday.

This came after Rep. Claudio K. Norita, chair of the House Investigation Committee, issued a subpoena last week requiring MPLA to turn in several documents on or before Friday.

In the subpoena, Norita demanded all documents pertaining to MPLA’s expenditure of public funds for legal services, off-island workshops and seminars for a private attorney, and a donation made by MPLA to the CNMI Supreme Court.

But Demapan-Castro clarified that there was no need for the subpoena, as Public Lands never ignored Norita’s April 21 letter requesting for the documents.

She noted that in a June 4 letter, MPLA told Norita that he could come and inspect the documents at the agency’s office or get copies of the documents at $0.50 per page.

“We are able to provide the documents you requested. However, please let us know if you will inspect the documents at MPLA or if you would like copies of these documents. Copies will be at $0.50 per page,” a portion of Demapan-Castro’s letter read.

The MPLA chair said that copies of the minutes and agendas of all the MPLA’s board meetings, as well as of legal service contracts entered into over the last two years, are available to the House committee.

She added that the agency does not have copies of any correspondence between the CNMI Supreme Court and MPLA regarding any requests for funds to finance the May 2004 Judicial Branch Commemorative Celebration.

“However, a legal opinion on the subject is privileged and confidential pursuant to [a provision of the CNMI law]. Furthermore, all the billings of attorneys you requested are likewise privileged. We could provide redacted copies of these billings upon your request,” she said in the letter.

Nevertheless, Demapan-Castro said in an interview yesterday that the subpoena has been referred to the MPLA legal counsel for review and immediate response.

Norita warned the MPLA chair of possible sanctions if she fails to comply with the subpoena, which was issued on July 30.

Specifically, the investigation committee demanded all documents on legal expenses relating to the two lawsuits involving MPLA—the one against the Marianas Public Land Trust and the one against former MPLA commissioner Bertha Leon Guerrero.

MPLT sued MPLA when the authority wrote off over $3 million in lease payments. Leon Guerrero sued the agency for allegedly firing her without due process.