Clifton Soalablai, who was President’s chief security officer, was found guilty of money laundering and theft of government property last month. In the sentencing hearing held on September 25, Soalablai has been sentenced to ten days in prison and five years of supervised probation.

In June, Soalablai along with his wife Margie Ngirmidol, were charged with money laundering and theft of a government property as Soalablai deposited his pay roll check of $524.71 with a false amount of $52,471 in the Bank of Guam (BOG) ATM located at BOG Koror branch.

The couple made several withdrawals after the money was transferred, the case against the couple was filed in the month of June but it is during this time when Office of the Special Prosecutor discovered there has been another false deposit and withdrawal in March and May by the wife.

There was an additional case filed against Ngirmidol in which she plead guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in prison, five years or probation.

The branch manager at BOG David Sablan in his testimony said that ATM machine located outside the BOG office was set up two years ago.

Sablan added that he knew the machine detected the check amount automatically when it is deposited but he was unaware that the machine was also capable of giving an amount editing option to the individual.

Sablan discovered this option after Soalablai entered an incorrect amount resulting in transfer of money from government treasury into Soalablai’s own personal account.

When enquired about the procedures in such cases and security mechanisms Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Maria Eugenia H. Leon Guerrero said, “We are unable to share our internal procedures for security reasons.”

She added that Bank has procedures in place to protect against the constantly evolving threats of fraud and money laundering.

“Particularly as consumer preferences for conducting their banking activities are shifting towards digital channels, the Bank is committed to ensuring that these channels are safe and secure,” Guerrero said. (By Eshan Kalyanikar)