CNMI Office of the Public Auditor

Summary

The CNMI Public Auditor is an independent agency established by CNMI Constitution Art. III § 12 and the Commonwealth Auditing Act (1 CMC §§ 2301, 7811–7851). It audits all public-fund receipts, possession, and disbursement across all executive agencies including DPS and DOC, and may investigate fraud, waste, and abuse (1 CMC § 7841). It holds summons and compel-testimony authority (1 CMC §§ 7842, 7846) and full records access. It has no officer-discipline authority, no use-of-force investigative role, and refers findings to the Attorney General. The Public Auditor is appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of both legislative houses, serves a 6-year term, and may be removed only for cause by a two-thirds vote of each house. The OPA budget is constitutionally floor-protected at $500,000 annually.