An investigation by the Office of the Public Auditor in the Northern Marianas suggests that the former governor, Benigno Fitial, was fully aware of a penal summons issued for his attorney general, Edward Buckingham.
Yesterday, Mr Fitial was issued with a penal summons to face charges relating to an alleged effort to shield Mr Buckingham from being served the summons before fleeing the territory last August.
The chief investigator for the Office, Juan Santos, says text messages between Mr Buckingham and Mr Fitial prove that he was aware of the summons, but still helped Mr Buckingham flee.
Mr Santos says Mr Fitial provided his personal driver and bodyguard to help protect Mr Buckingham as he tried to flee.
Mr Buckingham is now believed to be in Iowa, while Mr Fitial is thought to be in San Diego or the Philippines.
