SAIPAN — A human resources official with the Department of Public Safety has filed a formal sexual harassment grievance against former DPS Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas with the Civil Service Commission, NMI News Service has confirmed.
DPS Public Information Officer Fred Sato confirmed Monday that the HR office filed the grievance and that it has been forwarded to the Civil Service Commission. Sato also confirmed that the HR representative was making her way to the commission with a report containing complaints from several staff members.
The grievance, contained in a letter signed by Esther B. Delos Reyes of the DPS HR Division of Administration, was initially addressed to Raymond M. Muna, who served as Civil Service Commission chairman until his term expired in January. Delos Reyes subsequently corrected the letter to reflect the current chair, Joseph Patrick Fitial. Muna has been renominated and his confirmation is pending before the Senate, with a hearing scheduled for March 12.
In the letter, Delos Reyes details alleged repeated instances of unprofessional, inappropriate, and demeaning remarks by Macaranas directed at female employees.
“These repeated remarks demonstrate a pattern of behavior that targets female employees based on their bodies, appearance, age, and personal status,” Delos Reyes wrote. “Such conduct is inconsistent with the standards of professionalism, leadership, and respect expected of the head of the Department of Public Safety.”
Delos Reyes requested that the Civil Service Commission conduct a thorough and impartial review and take appropriate action consistent with personnel policies, ethical standards, and workplace conduct regulations. The letter was copied to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of the Governor.
The complaint adds a significant new dimension to an already turbulent chapter at DPS. Macaranas was fired by Acting Governor Dennis C. Mendiola last month while Governor David Mundo Apatang was off island. Mendiola cited complaints, unresolved issues, and leadership concerns, though he did not publicly specify the nature of those concerns at the time.
Apatang, who said upon his return that he was “very, very surprised” and “very, very disappointed” by the firing, publicly stated his intention to find a constitutional way to reinstate Macaranas, saying he had trusted the commissioner and that DPS was already dealing with manpower shortages. Grants Management Director Epiphanio “Epi” Cabrera, who was fired in the same round of removals, has since been reinstated.
Macaranas has not been reinstated and Macaranas had no comment at this time. The administration has not yet responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. The Civil Service Commission confirmed receipt of the complaint but was unable to provide further details.
