by Krystal Paco

Guam - Senator Chris Duenas is questioning advice provided to the Department of Education by its third party fiduciary agent, Alvarez and Marsal. The republican lawmaker feels the source may have endangered over $20 million in unobligated ARRA funds.

Duenas is concerned that DOE didn't take up assistance offered by Guam Power to help expedite the procurement of projects in jeopardy. It's the same kind of help the Guam Energy Office was offered and accepted. "I'm not sure they're giving proper advice to DOE. On more than one occasion I've asked them to see if it would be proper as they have stated in a roundtable several weeks ago to ask the governor to ask USDOE if this procurement vehicle which exists at this time with other arrangements such as the Energy Office would be an option. To expend the balance of ARRA funds and get our schools fixed."

Duenas says DOE is in a situation where they have over 2,000 backed up work orders, only 59 maintenance workers, and less than a week before the school year starts. Duenas is reviewing the contract with Alvarez and Marsal to see if the company might benefit from a delay in a loss or a delay in obligating DOE.