CNMI House Speaker Edmund Villagomez certified the contempt charge against former Secretary of Finance David Atalig in a letter to the CNMI Attorney General.

Atalig was found in contempt in March after he invoked his 5th Amendment right in response to most questions about the BOOST program.

Villagomez wrote that it was “improper and without legal justification, particularly as to those questions that pertained to basic public information regarding his role as former Secretary of Finance, his actions with respect to the BOOST Program, and the basic administration of ARPA funds.”

Atalig was also found in contempt for allegedly obstructing a legislative investigation.

The speaker said in the letter, “Mr. Atalig's testimony and the exhibits presented at the March 12, 2024, to March 13, 2024, FADR meetings show that Mr. Atalig has clearly interfered with the lawful performance of the Members of the Twenty-Second CNMI Legislature Joint GO and Ways & Means Committee and the Twenty-Third CNMI Legislature House Special Committee on Federal Assistance and Disaster-Related Funding. He has unlawfully, knowingly, and willfully interfered directly with the operation and function of both committees by directing lawfully subpoenaed individuals, such as Bank of Saipan President John Arroyo, to not respond to duly-issued investigatory subpoenas.”