by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Former Port Authority general manager Mary Torres will be called as a witness when the Civil Service Commission meets on Thursday evening in the appeal of former Port marketing administrator Bernadette Stern Meno. Commissioners agreed to hear Torres' testimony despite opposition from the Port's legal counsel, Mike Philipps, who explained that Torres can choose what she wants to answer and during cross-examination plead the Fifth.

"The moment Mr. [Curtis] Van De Veld asks the questions that he wants and then it's turned over to us and they say, 'Oh, we can't allow that because that might incriminate her, that's only for you to know', if somebody's making statements to you and we're able to show that she's less than truthful that the record shows otherwise. Every time she answers one of those questions, Curtis is correct it would incriminate her," he stated.

Torres' testimony is expected to support Meno's argument that then deputy general manager Anisia Terlaje was not authorized or delegated to sign the notice of proposed adverse action that was issued to Meno. With the Commission's approval, Van De Veld will subpoena Torres to testify on Thursday. The lawyer stated, "I need to communicate with her counsel, Mr. [Patrick] Civille. There are allegations of criminal misconduct that have been made by the Port Authority against Mrs. Torres and I will need to notify Mr. Civille that she will be testifying."

Meno is fighting her termination from the Port Authority as she contends management violated the rules when they issued her adverse action. She along with six other Port workers were fired for their role in an alleged conspiracy to defraud the government and cover it up. Another hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 5:45.