Complicated and delicate: former congressional staffer comments on San Nicolas matter

Former staffer to Delegates Madeline Bordallo and Dr. Robert Underwood, John Whitt weighed-in on current Guam Del. San Nicolas' investigation this morning on KUAM's Containing COVID interactive talk show.

"The thing about the subcommittee then is that it's got a singular focus. And so, is that good or bad? Well, in my view, it's complicated," he detailed.

He expects the process to run its course through the election, noting, "In some cases, like some members, it gets kicked over to the next congress, because, you know, the issue is so broad."

He says it's implausible to know what their conclusion will be, but adds that the situation is delicate as the investigative subcommittee narrows in. But, how is this different from then-Congresswoman Bordallo's investigation?

 "In the Congresswoman's case, the full committee indicated it's going to do its investigation and then in the intervening months she lost her reelection, so she was not returning. So the issue became moot," Whitt said. "So they did not have to issue a final report."

Bordallo was under scrutiny for renting a home in Guam to the Japanese Consulate and may have violated House rules for receiving profit from a foreign government, according to KUAM News files. She also was under review for allegedly receiving free lodging, meals and amenities at the Outrigger Guam, a hotel owned by her sister's family.

For the current delegate, Whitt said this is not business as usual.

"As a person that himself has found himself in legal trouble...for politicians to say it's just politics, it is what they always say. Go back to any politician ever been in trouble in Guam, they always say that is not unique to Guam," he said.