by Jason Salas

Guam - The Guam Environmental Protection Agency is disavowing knowledge about a petition being circulated within the agency to save the career of administrator Lorilee Crisostomo. Earlier in the day Senator Rory Respicio, who had been aggressively seeking her removal, wrote her, asking Crisostomo to halt what he perceived as unethical behavior

GEPA late Friday afternoon released the following statement:

"To the best of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency's knowledge, no employee has been threatened to sign a petition. All employees are given the opportunity to seek the advice of the EEO in the event of any such action. Advice was sought by GEPA from DOA to get clarification on this matter

Crisostomo, says agency spokesman Gerry Cruz, was not involved in the circulation, or creation of the petition, also noting that she could not become involved with it. "If anyone in GEPA is being coerced to sign the petition, they are asked to report the action to the EEO, or proper authorities," he writes.

"The petition is totally legitimate."