By Kassi Berg
U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, stomach Tony Babauta, malady who is responsible for overseeing the Pacific Island region, including Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Guam, and CNMI was placed on administrative leave in November, 2012 prompting a federal investigation.
The investigation is being led by the Inspector General and is said to involve corruption charges related to Babauta’s travel and certain grants that were awarded by the Office of Insular Affairs.
Federal investigators went to Guam last week in their ongoing probe. University of Guam president Dr. Robert Underwood confirmed that he was interviewed along with a some staff members about certain documents and financial reports relating to the awards of grants by Babauta’s office. Dr. Underwood claims there was nothing suspicious in the way the University managed those grants and that the University is not under investigation. Babauta was Underwood’s staff member when Underwood was a Guam Delegate to the United States.
Governor Eddie Calvo was also interviewed by the Inspector Gerneral’s Office in conjunction with the Babauta investigation as was Guam Community College President Mary Okada. GCC has received approximately $2.4 million in grants from the Department of Interior.
Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Tony Babauta has thus far made no public comment since being placed on administrative leave.
Babauta is a native of Guam and is currently the highest ranking native Pacific Islander serving in the U.S. government.
