GEC may discuss Rector controversy soon

by Nick Delgado

The Guam Election Commission's board of directors could take up the issue of Senator Matt Rector's criminal background in a few weeks.  The Commission, along with the Guam Police Department, is investigating the Democrat lawmaker's failure to disclose a burglary conviction from 1983 on an affidavit with the GEC and on a concealed firearms permit application.

GEC Board Member John Terlaje says this is the first time the Commission is dealing with a situation where this information comes to light after an individual has taken elected office.  "I would think that there would be a sense of urgency. As of now there is a meeting scheduled for December in a couple weeks. I haven't heard of any emergency meetings called by the chairman. We're just waiting, and hopefully there will be some decision made by the attorney general or maybe an opinion by our legal counsel by that time as well," he said.

The AG's Office received information from the Guam Police Department and was asked to look into the matter to determine if Rector should step down as senator and whether he faces any additional criminal charges.