by Mindy Aguon, KUAM News Tuesday, October 31, 2006 Subscribe to Mindy's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

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The Office of the Attorney General secured a complaint today against the Guam Election Commission's executive director. Gerry Taitano has been charged with several misdemeanors, to include illegal destruction of election ballots, tampering with public records, destroying evidence, tampering with public records to deceive or conceal and two counts of official misconduct.

The AG's Office alleges that on October 4 Taitano under oath testified that he destroyed unused ballots from the September 2 Primary Election. The prosecution alleges Taitano was required by law to retain the ballots for thirty days after certification of the election results. The executive director was ordered to appear before Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena at 10am Wednesday morning.

Additionally, the AG's Office is requesting a stay away order for Taitano from the Gaum Election Commission and any actions having to do with the upcoming election. Attorney General Douglas Moylan disqualified himself from the investigation and prosecution of the case, with chief prosecutor Fred Canavor handling the matter.

Taitano could not be reached for comment.