DepCor's OT exceeds GovGuam ceiling

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Bureau of Budget & Management Research director Bertha Duenas wants answers as to why the Department of Corrections has accrued more than $1 million in overtime for the past six months, seeing as how there's a $70,000 per pay period cap on OT for all law enforcement personnel.

"Even if it was justified," Duenas said, "where are we going to get the money?  We all know that this government is collecting a lot less the estimates that we started out with.  I have a problem when we always seem to be bailing out law enforcement and its ok when you're showing some discipline, but when I don't see the discipline."

While Duenas also admits that there has not been any transfer of funds into DepCor's account for OT, DepCor director J.B. Palacios says they are putting together all the documents in hopes that it will satisfy BBMR.

Ten DepCor officers are suing to get paid their overtime, hazardous pay and night differential, however, Palacios contends that only the OT has yet to be paid out.