First Ethics Complaint Filed In New Legislature Lacking Full Ethics Committee

The Thirty-eighth Guam Legislature has been in office for fewer than five full days, and one of its members already faces an ethics probe. Attorney Thomas Fisher, a former senator, on Thursday filed with the Office of Speaker Frank Blas, Jr. an ethics complaint against Telo Taitague for breaking the law last summer.

According to a recent court ruling, Ms. Taitague violated the Freedom of Information Act when she failed to timely provide public records to Mr. Fisher upon his demand for disclosure.

“Taitague’s actions were knowing, intentional, arbitrary, capricious and therefore her acts are criminal,” Mr. Fisher wrote in the complaint. “At all relevant times, Taitague was required to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Organic Act of Guam, obey the statutes of the United States and of Guam and conduct her life, both public and private, so as to bring honor and respect to her office. Taitague did neither. Rather she acted illegally, contrary to the laws of Guam, and brought shame, dishonor and public opprobrium to her public office and the whole of the Guam Legislature.”

‘Vilification’ is a synonym for opprobrium.

 

“[A]ny given senator must conduct his or her private and public life in a way not to invite opprobrium for conduct arising from illegal or shameful conduct. Senator Taitague has not done so and is sullied by her misdeeds and dishonesty,” Mr. Fisher wrote.

He asserts in his complaint that Ms. Taitague’s behavior and her violation of Guam law has shamed the legislature as a whole, warranting discipline by the full legislature.

“Throughout the 37th Guam Legislature, Senator Taitague was the first ot trumpet, and repeatedly so, the need for that transparency,” he wrote. “Contrary to her posturing, she presents a character to deceive, misdirect, and lie.”

 

He is asking that the legislature find her in violation of its ethics policy and censure her.

In his complaint, Mr. Fisher also asked Mr. Blas to prevent the legislature’s legal counsel, Darlene Hiton, from having anything to do with the ethics probe against Ms. Taitague.

“Senator Taitague has identified Hiton as previously assisting her in this matter and is thereby conflicted pursuant to the Guam Rules of professional Conduct for Attorneys,” he wrote.

 

Democrat Impasse Prevents Seating of Ethics Committee

According to the legislature’s rules, the Ethics Committee has an equal number of Democrat and Republican seats appointed by the minority leader and the lead Republican, respectively. The problem is that five days into the legislature, there is no minority leader, preventing the appointment and seating of Democrats onto the committee. This means the committee has no quorum and cannot conduct business.

The lack of a minority leader – a position normally selected during the inaugural session of the legislature – reportedly is the result of an impasse between the six-member Democrat minority’s two equal factions. On one side are Senators Chris Barnett, Sabina Perez, and Therese Terlaje. On the other are Senators Tina Muna Barnes, William Parkinson, and Joe San Agustin. The minority leadership struggle, sources tell Kandit, is between Ms. Terlaje and Ms. Muna Barnes. Both senators also are reportedly exploring candidacies for Adelup in 2026. The minority leader position is seen by political observers as a launchpad for successful gubernatorial candidates. Both former Governor Eddie Calvo and his father, the late Governor Paul Calvo were propelled into Adelup following stints as minority leader, a position that naturally attracts earned media.