It is unnerving that Adelup’s reaction to the indictment of the largest political corruption case in Guam history was to defend the criminal defendants rather than to stand up for us, the people of Guam.
In a statement from the Office of the Governor reacting to the unsealed indictment of more than half of the lieutenant governor’s nuclear family for a multimillion dollar slew of crimes, Adelup late Friday wrote, “Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio is not named in any federal charges, is not under investigation, and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Since the beginning of this Administration, he has led with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Guam. His calm, focused, and principled leadership during this time continues to reflect the core values he has always brought to public service.”
In a video statement, the lieutenant governor Friday night said, “I had no knowledge of the events alleged in the indictment. I was not aware of the actions that have led to these charges, and I want to make it clear that I am not involved.”
The FBI and the U.S. Attorney presented evidence and secured charges that more than half your family corrupted the government you run, and you didn’t know? You took no part in it? You benefitted not? I do not believe you are telling the truth, sir.
Of the defendants – who include the lieutenant governor’s boyfriend, his sister, his brother in law, a governor’s office employee, and two other GovGuam employees, there is a direct nexus drawn from the alleged commission of federal program theft, wire fraud, money laundering, mail fraud, and witness tampering to the lieutenant governor.
Adelup claiming they know the lieutenant governor is not under federal investigation is a lie. There is no way they could draw that conclusion truthfully unless the FBI Honolulu Field Office confirmed in writing that Josh Tenorio is not under federal investigation. We asked Adelup for such a confirmation Friday. Crickets. Because they know their assertion is false.
More importantly, if Adelup – after reading that indictment and discovering that a federal judge since last year has signed three search warrants against the seven defendants – was so concerned about integrity and righteousness, then the governor’s office would have announced the launch of a local investigation into Josh Tenorio. The mere fact that thrice a federal judge determined there was probable cause that the defendants were in possession of evidence of crimes committed is on its own a big deal. That the fruits of those searches, along with all the other evidence and witness statements led the FBI and the U.S. Attorney to pursue and win a grand jury indictment should tell the governor’s office that it’s time to cut ties with Josh Tenorio and his family.
He is tainted. He has tainted the administration. He should have been under local investigation since 2020.
Invite the Office of the Attorney General of Guam to investigate the lieutenant governor. If there is nothing he or anyone else in Adelup is hiding, then they have nothing to fear by inviting Douglas Moylan to snoop around their bank records of the past six years.
The most befuddling part of the lieutenant governor and Adelup’s statements were their assertions that what mattered to them were the services for and well being of the people of this island, especially the most vulnerable. How are we supposed to believe that? With all we have seen, and now with the very credible allegations made by the United States Attorney that half the lieutenant governor’s family, four GovGuam employees, and a governor’s office staffer coordinated or participated in a multimillion dollar ripoff of the federal government and poor people … how are we supposed to believe that Josh Tenorio and Adelup care about the common man?
You know what $1.9 million could have purchased? Full stomachs every day this summer for all the kids going hungry throughout this island while school is out. Shelter from the rain and the street violence for the homeless. Assistive technology for people living with mobility, sight, and hearing issues. Life-saving dialysis and prescription drugs. Toothbrushes and soap for people on the peripheries. The little bit of help so many people need to reconnect their water and power services. Bus passes for everyone who needs to get to work, the doctor’s appointment, or to visit family and friends. The list of coulda shoulda wouldas goes on.
Instead that money allegedly went to enrich the lieutenant governor’s family!
“Our work continues: we remain committed to supporting families, strengthening our economy, and addressing the priorities that matter most to our community,” the Adelup statement says near its conclusion. Josh Tenorio added in his statement, “There is much work still to be done—navigating the global and regional challenges we face, addressing economic relief, ensuring access to healthcare, and providing a quality education for the next generation of leaders. These are the priorities that will continue to drive my actions and my leadership.”
Give me a break. No one is buying it.
The evidence reflects that the lieutenant governor’s priority has been self enrichment and power. That indictment alleges that the only family that was supported was the Tenorio family. That the only economy strengthened was the Tenorio family home. That the only priority that mattered most to at least that part of the administration was the well being and personal privilege of Joshua Tenorio.
If you, governor’s office, are so concerned about us, the people of Guam, then convince Governor Lou Leon Guerrero to do what she likely knows is the right thing to do: Call for Joshua Tenorio’s resignation and speak out against the corruption his family is accused of having perpetrated upon the most vulnerable. If you are worried about our future, then wipe the stain of this present slate clean with the concentrated elixir of stern truth.
“[I]t is important to remind ourselves,” the lieutenant governor said in his statement, “that every individual is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. We cannot, and must not, allow political narratives or unfounded allegations to overshadow the basic principle that everyone deserves due process.” The governor’s office joined in this plea for a political lifeline: “It is important to emphasize that a federal indictment, or charge, is not a conviction. It is a formal allegation.”
This government, which treats the poor and the regular folk accused of crime as pariahs unworthy of a second glance, now begs us for consideration. Unlike the petty thief, the homeless panhandler, or the drug addict, people who steal from the public coffers prey on the most vulnerable who rely upon the public’s support just to get by. No one should be treated like a pariah, but if I had to choose, I’d shame the corrupt instead of the man who steals a pittance for survival.
Finally, the lieutenant governor’s expression of immense hurt for the actions taken by the federal criminal justice system against his family was touching, indeed. I wish he expressed those same feelings for the victims of their alleged crimes, and the witnesses who have been living in fear.
In fact, I wish he expressed remorse to the one person he is hurting most by hanging on to power and his ambitions: Lou Leon Guerrero. The governor worked all her life blazing trails for women through a world where women have had to work harder than men for the same scraps. She led us through a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic with far fewer deaths than had been predicted due to her leadership. She ushered in a golden age of government financials and modernized several key sections of our government. She lowered taxes for most of us, and kept the economy afloat despite the global and regional challenges. And to close out her legacy, she is on the cusp of developing a new hospital.
That hospital and that legacy can go up in flames because of Joshua Tenorio. She raised him from political obscurity to be in the position he and his family allegedly used to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor. He owes her loyalty and gratitude. He owes it to her to resign and say, “I’m sorry, governor. I screwed up. I’m sorry, people of Guam.”
