…Assertions Are Nothing More than Political Mischief

Alberto August

Finally, Tamai told us that she didn’t realize that August had her on speaker-phone, but denies giving any instructions at all to any Elections and Boundaries staff member through August’s phone.

Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer

“I did not know anything about being put on speaker phone because whatever it was…and I will tell you that the call didn’t even last a minute. And I will tell you that it is not only Mister August; we’ve had persons from other political parties who have called myself. I always make myself available to persons. Myself and my entire staff, we are always available to take persons’ calls. And I will tell you, I know you mentioned that Mister August has connections to the Elections and Boundaries Department. But I really would like to know what type of connections because I really don’t know about any connections that any political persons have with the department, regardless of party.”

Mike Rudon

“Let me ask you again. Do you think it sends the wrong signal? Would it have been more professional for you to call the Elections and Boundaries office and speak to your officer rather than speak to her through Mister August?”

Josephine Tamai

Josephine Tamai

“No, no, no. I must clarify. I did not speak to my officer through Mister August’s phone. I called the officer after I hung up from Mister August’s call. I did not, at any point in time, speak to my officer on anybody’s phone. Not Mister August, no.”

Reporter

“So it wasn’t a three-way conversation…”

Josephine Tamai

“I don’t know because like I said, I wasn’t even aware that anything was being put on speaker…because whatever was put on speaker it’s nothing in my opinion. But at no point in time did I speak to my officer through Mister August’s phone.”

Tamai says that the allegations are nothing more than political mischief, but at the Elections and Boundaries Office they will remain focused going into the general election.