By Steve LimtiacoMy Jungle Rules
The lieutenant governor’s domestic partner, sister, and her boyfriend were part of a conspiracy to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic unemployment assistance, according to federal prosecutors, who this week charged them and others with fraud, theft, money laundering and witness tampering.
Prosecutors allege the crimes were an inside job, with pandemic assistance program manager Kathleen Peredo and program employee Marlene Pinaula using their government positions to approve bogus applications and divert assistance checks.
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio is not accused of wrongdoing and is not a defendant in the case.
Steve Limtiaco/My Jungle RulesGuam National Guard members guide residents into a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in February 2021.
The conspiracy, according to prosecutors, involved fake layoffs and furloughs at a lawn maintenance business, Comfort Cuts and Grounds Maintenance, and a food truck business to get federal unemployment payments for ineligible people.
In many cases, those who received bogus payments turned over at least half of the money to Tenorio’s sister, Charissa Tenorio, who owned the lawn business with her boyfriend, Frankie Rosalin, the indictment states.
The food truck business named in the indictment, Haute Dog & Company, is owned by Tenorio’s domestic partner, Matthew Topasna, according to prosecutors, who said Topasna falsified assistance applications for himself, his employees, and also people who never worked for his business.
The indictment states Charissa Tenorio and Rosalin’s mother, Tina Sanchez, harassed witnesses in August 2024 to prevent them from reporting the crimes, which happened between July 2020 and October 2021.
In December 2020, during the first year of the pandemic shutdown, nearly 14,000 Guam residents were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 19.4%. About 15,000 other residents were still employed but had their hours cut.
‘These are people I love deeply’
Lt. Gov. Tenorio on Friday posted a video on social media, responding to the federal indictments.
“The recent allegations involving my sister Charissa, her son’s father, and my significant other, Matt, has caused immense personal pain. These are people I love deeply,” Tenorio said, adding he believes no one is above the law and everyone is entitled to due process.
Tenorio cautioned against politicizing the case, which he said weighs heavily on his family. “While I am not personally involved in this case, I understand that my association with my family, whether by blood or relationships, has led some to question the integrity of my office and our administration,” he said.
According to the governor’s office, Tenorio is not under investigation and has not been accused of wrongdoing. “We remain fully committed to ethical governance and the continued service of our island,” it stated.
Who are the defendants
Here are the defendants in the case:
Charissa Tenorio, co-owner of Comfort Cuts and Grounds Maintenance: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud; money laundering and witness tampering.
Frankie Rosalin, co-owner of Comfort Cuts and Grounds Maintenance: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Kathleen Peredo, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program manager: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud; federal program theft.
Tina Sanchez, mother of Frankie Rosalin: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud and witness tampering.
Winnie Jo Santos, office manager for Comfort Cuts: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Matthew Topasna, owner of Haute Dog & Company: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Marlene Pinaula, staff employee for PUA program: wire fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; mail fraud; conspiracy to commit mail fraud; federal program theft.