Around five months after the Special Prosecutor post had been vacant, President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. had been able to come up with a nominee for the position after thorough reviews on numerous applications that had been submitted to his office.
Remengesau, in his letter to Senate President Hokkons Baules dated Jully 11, had nominated Ms. April Dawn Cripps, to head the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
“After posting this position for several months and interviewing a number of highly qualified applicants, I believe Ms. Cripps has distinguished herself as the best fit for this key role in our national government,” Remengesau stated in the letter.
Cripps has international legal experience including over four years of work in the same field in the Micronesian region. She also previously worked as Assistant Attorney General in the Federated States of Micronesia from 2000 to 2002 and had also served as Justice Secretary still in the FSM from 2012 to 2015.
The nominee also had previously worked as Senior Attorney for the Florida Supreme Court, a Deputy General Counsel for Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and an Assistant General Counsel for Florida’s Department of Health, Prosecution Services Unit.
Cripps had expressed willingness to commit to minimum of five years of service if her nomination is confirmed by the Senate.
The last three Special Prosecutors appointed by Palau had resigned before finishing their five-year term, since then, the government had been looking for candidates who can commit to a full term.
“…the Office of the Special Prosecutor has a great deal of important work to do, including cases that are currently pending. It is in the Republic’s best interest to get a Special Prosecutor installed soon.
Cripps nomination is not yet final as the process for selecting the Special Prosecutor involves nomination of the President and confirmation of the national congress.
In a text message sent to Island Times, Senate Vice President Mark Rudimch said that the Senate has not yet affirmed the nomination of Cripps as Special Prosecutor.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs (JGA), according to Rudimch, had already held an interview with the nominee but has yet to issue their report. (Rhealyn C. Pojas)