The Commerce Secretary of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, James Santos, has resigned.
His departure is seen as linked to the federal indictment of the Lt Governor Timothy Villagomez who is accused of defrauding the US government through business deals involving needless purchases for the territory's power company.
A spokesperson for the governor says Mr Santos felt that he would be a distraction for the administration.
Governor Benigno Fitial has approached the Deputy Commerce Secretary Michael Ada as the new Commerce chief.
