Public Auditor of Guam

The Public Auditor of Guam is an elected territorial office independent of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Government of Guam. Five individuals have held the office of Public Auditor since its creation in 1994. The incumbent is Benjamin Cruz, a former member of the Democratic Party.

Election and term of office

Public Auditors are elected to four-year terms without term limits, and elections are strictly nonpartisan.

Powers and duties

The Public Auditor heads Guam's Office of Public Accountability, which is tasked with promoting effective management of public resources through audits of territorial agencies and local governments and administration of procurement appeals. The Public Auditor is also responsible for:

  1. maintaining a government ethics training program for elected and appointed public officials;
  2. operating a hotline for investigating citizen concerns and whistleblower complaints of fraud and abuse of power; and
  3. publishing meeting agendas and approved minutes prepared by territorial agencies, boards, commissions, and public corporations.

History

The position of Public Auditor was established in 1992 and was originally appointed. In 2000, Doris Flores Brooks became the first Public Auditor elected.

List of Public Auditors (1994-present)

No. Name Term of service
1 Robert G.P. Cruz 1994 – 1998
2 Austin "Sonny" J. Shelton 1998 – January 1, 2001
3 Doris Flores Brooks January 1, 2001 – June 8, 2018
4 Yukari Hechanova (acting) June 8, 2018 – September 13, 2018
5 Benjamin Cruz September 13, 2018 – present

See also