Kara thumbs down raise for DPH counsel

The contract of the legal counsel for the Department of Public Health has been thrown into a controversy after the Attorney General’s Office decided against granting a salary increase, a decision that has caught the ire of a senator.

Acting chief government lawyer Maya B. Kara told reporters yesterday the office could not grant the request of Celeste Andersen, assistant attorney general, because of the current financial situation of the CNMI government.

But a source, who requested anonymity, said it was likely Kara chose not to renew her contract because of personal differences, claiming Andersen was not part of the circle within the AGO.

He said other assistant AGs have received higher salary when they renegotiated their contracts, citing the case of Robert Goldberg, legal counsel for labor and immigration department.

Last December, the Senate slammed the alleged granting of pay raise at a time when the government is suffering from serious financial crisis. Kara had admitted making the request, but that AGO had yet to implement the increase.

According to Kara, the government can not grant Andersen a pay increase due to the austerity measures implemented by the Tenorio administration. .

“Unfortunately Celeste has gotten caught (in the problem). It’s just a bad time to do a salary increase,” she added.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez has earlier expressed concern to Public Health Sec. Joseph K. Villagomez over the non-renewal of the contract, citing Andersen’s track record at the department.

He cautioned against losing an “experienced attorney” as the DPH’s and the public’s interests may be comprised with the hiring of an “untested” replacement.

Kara also acknowledged Andersen’s job performance, saying the AGO will still need to provide legal services to the department which may be difficult at this time when they are currently under staff.

“She is a very valuable employee and I understand she has done some very good work in the hospital,” she explained. “The hospital relies on her in many, many ways. I have every hope that we keep her and it will be difficult to replace her.”

Presently, the AGO needs four more lawyers — two for civil, one for criminal and another for the Department of Public Safety, according to Kara.

“We are in the process of hiring a couple of new people. We will still need more especially if we lose Celeste, that’s an additional staff we have to fill,” Kara said.

She added they are still adhering to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s cost-cutting measures because they are recruiting people as replacement, not to create new positions.

In a separate interview, Sen. Villagomez said he is still awaiting a response from the DPH chief on the reason why Andersen’s contract has not been renewed.

He maintained also that his interest on the problem is not tied with his action in the Senate following his move to take the ongoing tussle on Kara’s appointment to court.

“This is totally different. Celeste has been very helpful and I am just wondering why her contract is not being renewed,” he said.