Forty seven minutes after Triple J employee Bintensen Simina allegedly rammed a Triple J vehicle into the Autospot showroom in Hagatna on Saturday, another Triple J Auto Guam employee messaged an Autospot employee “did you get our gift?”
It was not the Autospot employee’s birthday, and the only thing that employee “received” from anyone at Triple J was a Triple J vehicle that crashed into the Autospot showroom, injuring six people.
The message was sent in a WhatsApp group chatroom of Triple J employees. The Autospot employee was in the group chat because he recently was a Triple J employee.
“The message you referenced was sent to a private chat group over which we have no control,” Triple J Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Kristine Lujan wrote to Kandit in response to our inquiry on the matter. “The employee involved has been counseled and has expressed deep regret, feeling embarrassed and ashamed for his actions. He was unaware of any injuries at the time the message was sent, and he has since apologized.”
The name of the chatroom is “Down With The Syndrome.” The chatroom’s profile picture is of a toddler who appears to have Down Syndrome.
“Triple J does not condone any form of inappropriate behavior or communication, including mockery of individuals, discrimination, or any form of disrespect,” Ms. Lujan wrote to Kandit.
Kandit has asked Guam Police Department spokeswoman Berlyn Savella whether detectives are aware of this communication between the employees and whether this information changes the complexion of the investigation into the Saturday crash that left six people injured. One of those victims remains in unstable condition at Naval Hospital, according to the document charging Mr. Simina with several counts of felonies including drunk and reckless driving.
Kandit asked Triple J’s Lujan whether Triple J was aware of any vendetta or otherwise bad blood between Triple J employees and Autospot employees. We also asked whether Triple J has looked into the conduct of employees since the crash happened to determine whether this is something beyond an accident involving only Simina.
“Triple J and Guam Auto Spot are business partners, competitors, and more importantly, friends who share a respectful relationship, we recognize that this incident only adds to the pain and difficulty for everyone involved. The behavior described is not reflective of our company’s standards, and we will ensure that any necessary steps are taken to address this matter appropriately,” Ms. Lujan said.
We also asked Ms. Savella of GPD whether GPD now is examining whether this was a purposeful act and whether there was a conspiracy involving more than one Triple J employee to damage Autospot and injure any of its customers and employees (with or without the knowledge of management).
Ms. Savella has yet to reply to the inquiry.
Earlier today, a member of the chatroom discovered that people outside the chatroom had access to screenshots of the chat. Another employee questioned “Who leaked the chat,” before posting a picture of a large firearm with multiple magazines of ammunition.
It is unclear how Triple J will handle that part of the controversy and whether their knowledge of this portion of the chat triggers any protocols involving workplace gun violence.
“Regarding your other inquiries, we continue to fully cooperate with authorities as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Ms. Lujan said. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time. We trust that law enforcement will thoroughly review all relevant information, including this new development.”
