CNMI finance chief says there's 'nothing to hide' in BOOST program

The CNMI Secretary of Finance David Atalig says he stands by Governor Ralph Torres' BOOST program which is currently the focus of a week-long legislative joint committee investigation with regards to how federal American Rescue Plan Act funds were used to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits. BOOST stands for "Building Optimism, Opportunities, and Stability Together." 

Atalig asked the committee to reschedule his testimony today as he needs more time to hire a private attorney after the Attorney General's office authorized outside legal counsel representation. Atalig says he wants an "available, non-conflicted, and able" representation before he is questioned. The committee rescheduled his testimony to Dec. 22 at 3:30 p.m. Ahead of the hearing, KUAM asked Atalig if he stands by the program given previous testimonies. 

 "I have nothing to hide. I do want to cooperate," he said. "BOOST is a great program. I have not seen or reviewed their testimonies so I can not comment on that."

BOOST has awarded more than $10 million to 431 businesses and nonprofits.