There's a call for the resignation of the Contractors Licensing Board Executive Director Cecil Orsini following a decision by the public auditor alleging fraud while working with JMI Edison.

Adelup Communications Director Krystal Paco San Agustin says the report from the Public Auditor is troubling. In a statement, San Agustin says the Guam Contractors Licensing Board must have the confidence of the community in order for it to perform its job. Because that confidence is in question, on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, the Acting Chief of Staff Alice Taijeron had asked for Mr. Orsini's resignation. The administration expects the CLB will convene to address this matter and act accordingly.

On Friday afternoon JMI Edison Ed Ilao issued a statement to clear the record that the December email to Orsini was in fact a reminder of an investigation the CLB conducted months ago. According to JMI when it first filed the appeal with the OPA last year it also alerted the CLB about Menzies not being a licensed contractor on Guam and at that time CLB initiated an investigation. The draft of the proposed findings and fact sent to Orsini was for the agency to adopt if it so chose.

"Unfortunately, the Airport's contractor manipulated the OPA into believing that wrongdoing had occurred and that JMI had somehow perpetrated a fraud since the CLB adopted JMI's proposed findings. That allegation was not only wrong, it stands as an insult to the hard-working men and women of the CLB team that do the unheralded work of making sure that only licensed and reputable contractors perform work for consumers on Guam. The allegation is also hurtful, since the claim of fraud is based upon the friendly use of the word "bro" in our open communications with the CLB executive director- a fellow Guamanian of Filipino descent. Ever since my parents came to Guam and built JMI Edison into the family-oriented company I am now fortunate enough to lead, we have always held to an island friendly culture where our coworkers are Pare, or we respectfully refer to those we assist, or who assist us, as "Ate," or "Kuya," or yes, even "bro." We have even used "brah" with our Hawaiian friends. lt is unfortunate that a foreign unlicensed billion-dollar contractor would take our island ways of speaking and use them to avoid meaningful review of its unlicensed conduct. No one should be afraid of due process, and such process should not be denied."

JMI argues the OPA dismissed the appeal without investigating the findings of the CLB or dealing with the fact that Menzies is unlicensed. The company will taking the issue to court "so that the OPA's gross errors can be addressed."

Just before News time Adelup Communications Director Krystal Paco-San Agustin confirmed that Mr. Orsini's resignation was received and has been forwarded to CLB for their disposition.