Guam Sen. Therese Terlaje on Thursday called for a full investigation into allegations detailed in a federal lawsuit against the Guam Visitors Bureau and board chairman George Chiu.
The lawsuit, filed by a GVB employee identified as Jane Doe, stated that former GVB President Carl Gutierrez sexually assaulted and sexually harassed her on work trips and in the agency's offices. Gutierrez, who served as governor of Guam from 1995 to 2003, was not named as a defendant in the $61.5 million lawsuit.
The lawsuit also said there was a broader culture of sexualized misconduct at the agency, and that Chiu and the agency’s board of directors knew or should have known about the situation.
Terlaje, a former legislative speaker and current gubernatorial candidate, called on the attorney general to investigate and prosecute any employee, supervisor or elected official who committed or was complicit in the alleged behavior, or who used public funds for illicit activities.
"Sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any form of workplace misconduct must never be tolerated with any Government of Guam agency, autonomous agency, or public corporation," Terlaje said. "Equally unacceptable is any effort to conceal, minimize, or disregard allegations of such conduct. Public trust depends upon the willingness of government institutions to respond promptly, transparently, and appropriately when serious allegations arise."
She also said any legislative investigation should not be done by anyone who also traveled with GVB and is a potential witness in a criminal or civil action.