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Rector's actions prompt investigations

by Nick Delgado

KUAM News was first to bring you the story last night of one lawmaker's criminal background.  Following our story, senator and Guam Federation of Teachers president Matt Rector then disclosed details about his burglary conviction in California.

The senator claims what happened more than two decades ago was a "stupid thing to do" and continues to refuse to do interviews with KUAM News, alleging we are part of a conspiracy to report lies and stop him from helping working families on Guam.  But even though he's not talking to KUAM News, the senator's actions have now prompted several investigations.

While he refused to do an interview with, despite visits to his senatorial and GFT offices and numerous phone calls today and yesterday, Senator Rector claims he "forgot" about a burglary conviction that occurred back in 1983 when he was 21 years old.  Rector claims KUAM's story is part of an alleged concerted effort to discredit him and soil his image and stop his efforts to improve the quality of life for Guam's working families.

In a post on his Facebook page and his own web site, the Democrat lawmaker mentions his situation, likening it to progressive leaders who have fought against the rich and powerful and the tyranny of corporate power such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, John K. Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy, Malcolm X, Huey Long, and former Guam senator the late Angel Santos.  Rector went on to say that he forgot about the misdemeanor conviction 26 years ago when he applied for a concealed weapons permit with the Guam Police Department.

The senator detailed how he and some friends were on Christmas Break, had some drinks, and climbed onto the roof of a nearby mall and went inside an open door.  Rector said they were arrested and eventually he pled guilty to misdemeanor burglary and received probation and community service.

He wrote, "Was it a stupid thing to do? Yes, of course! Did I lie on my application for a gun license? No, I don't believe so. It was my understanding that my record was automatically sealed if I kept my nose clean, but I have since learned that I should get the record expunged, which is already in the works."

What Rector fails to address is that he also apparently forgot to mention the conviction when he signed an affidavit with the Guam Election Commission in July of last year, stating he had never been convicted of a felony or convicted of a misdemeanor involving a crime of moral turpitude.  The U.S. State Department lists burglary as a crime of moral turpitude and even some of Rector's colleagues agree.

Senator Adolpho Palacios said, "Whether it's a misdemeanor or a felony, burglary is the unlawful breaking and entering into a house, an establishment or any structure that is actually locked down.  That is burglary."  Rector's colleagues also wonder how the freshman lawmaker and GFT union president could forget about being arrested.

Senator Frank Blas, Jr. said, "I don't accept the thinking that he forgot about this. You don't forget about something like that. This was a major event in your life and this is something that at that age, you knew that it was going to affect you for the rest of your life. And for you to say you forgot about it, I don't except that."

Now that this criminal background has been disclosed, several investigations have been launched - including one at the Guam Election Commission, where Executive Director John Blas says the agency's legal counsel is now looking into the issue.  "We need to cover what we need to do now, how much involvement the Guam Election Commission will be in until the time that the question may be, should the senator step down. And we'll also have an opinion on that. And hopefully we'll be prepared when all of this comes to an end and there's some determination from the Attorney General's Office or the Guam Legislature, we'll be prepared to respond at that time."

Blas says the worst case scenario would be that all the documents are secured and the Commission determines rector was indelible to be a senator, which would result in him having to step down and a special election to be held.  

Chief of the Guam Police Department Paul Suba, meanwhile, confirms his agency is conducting an investigation into rector and his application for a concealed firearm.  The lawmaker admitted he failed to disclose the previous conviction, which could put him in hot water for falsifying an official document.  "We want to make sure that anyone obtaining a firearm does it legally and for good reason, and that its done so with safety in mind." 

Asked if it could be possible that Rector could be seeing additional charges, Chief Suba said, "I wouldn't be able to tell you that or answer that question as the investigation is continuing."

Speaker Judi Won Pat meanwhile says she and her colleagues were shocked to learn of Rector's criminal history.  Won Pat intends to seek legal clarification from the Attorney General on the matter, saying, "We want to be able to get some guidance first of all from legal counsel we have to do some research and find out what the law says and see if we need to tie up any loose ends and see if there's anything that can guide us and we'll also probably enlist the help of the Attorney General, and hopefully she'll be able to respond quickly to this issue."

Now, while Senator Rector refuses to do interview with KUAM News, saying he will only do so live, alleging that our newsteam puts a slant on his comments. Efforts have been made to contact the senator and do those live interviews, however they have gone unanswered.  In the meantime, only time will tell if Senator Rector will continue to have a seat in the Guam Legislature.