Peter assures all obligations will be resolved

Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee chair Marco Peter during the closing ceremonies of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 last June 25 at the Oleai Sports Complex. (QUINN BREADY)

The Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee is assuring vendors and volunteers that they will pay the money owed to them.

This, after several social media posts showed that a number of volunteers—who weren’t promised monetary compensation in the first place—received checks that bounced when they tried to eventually encash them.

“All obligations including volunteer reimbursements will be resolved,” said MGOC chair Marco Peter. 

The former lawmaker said the issue on the bounced checks was unfortunate and stemmed from a former MGOC staff encashing a fraudulent check reimbursement.

“There was a time when the Mini Games account was compromised and we had to hold outstanding checks. We’re working diligently with the Bank of Guam to resolve these outstanding payments which include volunteer reimbursement, such as the $500 check,” he said.

That was when Patricia Bermudes Aldan allegedly doctored checks issued by the MGOC and defrauded the organizing committee of $46,000.

“If you recall, the fraudulent check reimbursement made by Patricia Aldan is a case that is still ongoing which only magnified the issue of voluntary checks being held,” added Peter. 

Last August, the Department of Public Safety said it was on the hunt for Aldan in connection with the theft of $46,000 from the MGOC.

According to a DPS news release, the department received a 911 call last Aug. 2 at about 9:43am, about a forgery and theft incident.

The caller told police that they were reviewing the funds from the Mini Games bank account when they noticed that a payout of $46,027, was made to Aldan. Upon further review, it was found that Aldan was a temporary employee for the MGOC and was originally given a check for $27, for mileage
reimbursement. 

MGOC members stated that the original check amount was changed from $27 to $46,027 with two signatures of its committee members signed on the forged check without their knowledge.

On the same day, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho signed an arrest warrant for Aldan, but the police were unable to find her. On Aug. 3, 2022, police were able to confirm that Aldan had fled the island in the afternoon of Aug. 2, 2022, on Jeju Airlines with no written final destination.

A 47-year-old technical official, who wants to remain anonymous, said she had mixed emotions after volunteering in the Mini Games.
“I am just grateful to be part of such a monumental event as a volunteer. I wasn’t expecting any compensation as a technical official for the Mini Games. I’m just surprised why volunteers are paid. The check I thought was a gesture of goodwill. Unfortunately, it was false hope,” she said.

A 54-year-old volunteer, who also wanted anonymity, said she also didn’t expect to get paid.

“I love to support these events, especially triathlon. But because I received a check as an incentive, I thought they were being generous and grateful for the work we put in for the Mini Games.” 

Instead, she said it became more of an insult as other technical officials were able to get their money.

“For the few of us that received it months later and with no funds it was a slap on the face. We were the few that weren’t on the top of their list. I’ve reached out to the responsible parties, but to no avail. They say when funding is available, then we’ll get our money. I hope it will be soon though,” she said.