Overview:
**Why did it take more than a year to file the Palau Housing Authority theft case?** Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil says there was an “unnecessary delay” in processing the case, while President Surangel Whipps Jr. is calling for a review of contracts allowing assistant attorneys general to practice law privately.
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau (August 24, 2026)— Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil acknowledged that the case involving alleged theft from 19 Palau Housing Authority applicants faced an “unnecessary delay” before it was filed by the Office of the Attorney General last week.
The case, assigned to an assistant attorney general, involves former PHA employee Kukong Hilbert, who allegedly stole money from housing applicants.
Asked why it took more than a year for the Attorney General’s Office to file the case, Olegeriil admitted that the delay in processing the case could have been avoided.
“The core of that whole thing, there was unnecessary delay regarding the processing of that case,” Olegeriil admitted, adding there was no other explanation for it. “There’s just no way around it.”
She said that once the delay came to her attention, she contacted the officials responsible for the case and ensured it was completed and forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for filing.
“When it came to our attention, we called in the people responsible for that particular case and ensured it was prepared and sent to the AG’s office to be filed,” she said.
Olegeriil said the delay reflected a need for better planning and management within the office.
“It requires better planning and better management,” she said. “As a standard, I, just like all supervisors, always defend my staff — but they need to accomplish their responsibilities better because what took place was just unnecessary delay.”
Olegeriil said she has addressed the matter and that steps are being taken to prevent similar delays in the future.
“We are taking all necessary steps to make sure it does not happen again,” she said.
President Calls for Review of Private Legal Practice
President Surangel Whipps Jr. also addressed concerns about assistant attorneys general engaging in private legal practice while employed by the government.
“It is clear that it is not right when AGs do private outside work,” Whipps said.
He said the government would review employment contracts that allow assistant attorneys general to conduct private legal work.
“We will review those contracts that allow AAGs to do private practice and stop those. That has to happen,” Whipps said.
Whipps said he believes the government would be better served by attorneys who are fully committed to their government responsibilities.
“I think it’s better if we have fully committed attorneys and not accommodate such actions,” he said.
Three Assistant AGs Allowed to Practice Privately
Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil previously confirmed that three assistant attorneys general are currently engaged in private legal practice, which is allowed under their contracts.
Rengiil said the attorneys work as government employees from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, but their employment contracts allow them to practice law privately during their free time.
The issue comes as the Attorney General’s Office faces scrutiny over the length of time it took to file the PHA theft case and the government reviews the terms governing outside legal work by assistant attorneys general.