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Atalig focuses on Rota recovery
Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig is focused on Rota’s ongoing recovery following Typhoon Mangkhut despite his ongoing case in federal court.
Atalig, who was indicted for wire fraud last Sept. 2, 2018, has had his hands full with his ongoing federal case and his role as mayor following the onslaught of Typhoon Mangkhut.
According to Atalig, he has managed to remain strong and is more focused on his role as a leader following the typhoon.
“I am holding up strong for my people…I put my people and their safety first…. I want to put my constituents’ needs first,” he added.
Atalig said the case doesn’t worry him as much as the restoration of Rota because he claims he did nothing wrong.
“I am OK with all that’s on my plate because I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said.
The island of Rota has undergone a speedy recovery, with water up 100 percent and power up at 95 percent as of Wednesday.
Atalig said he is grateful for all the support that has been given toward the recovery of Rota from all the organizations and agencies that were involved.
“If we work together, recovery is faster,” he said.
A federal grand jury indicted Atalig on a charge that he allegedly arranged a government-funded trip from Rota to Guam for himself and 12 others, including eight municipal employees, on an allegedly false claim that he was going to check for surplus equipment at the Naval Base in Guam.
According to the allegation, he actually went there to participate in a partisan political rally last June 23 in Mangilao.
The indictment charged Atalig with one count of wire fraud. It was filed earlier this month before the U.S. District Court for the NMI.
