Hirshbein now acting Labor secretary, deputy secretary

Local
Friday, August 14, 2009

By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter

Barry Hirshbein, a Labor administrative hearing officer, is now both the acting Labor Secretary and acting Labor Deputy Secretary.

This developed after Labor Deputy Secretary Jacinta M. Kaipat became the acting Labor Secretary after Labor Secretary Gil M. San Nicolas took a leave of absence.

Kaipat, however, took a temporary leave last week after the Election Commission certified her candidacy for the Senate.

Saipan Tribune learned yesterday that on July 29, Kaipat, as then acting Labor Secretary, appointed hearing officer Hirshbein as acting Labor Deputy Secretary.

“No budgetary authority will be expended on this position as this appointment is temporary. Mr. Hirshbein holds a permanent appointment as a hearing officer and will be compensated only in that capacity,” said Kaipat in a letter appointing Hirshbein.

In June, Kaipat removed Hirshbein as Labor director and transferred him to his previous assignment, Labor administrative hearing officer.

Hirshbein, who is a former prosecutor, served as Labor director for one year and six months.

Kaipat also recently appointed Labor administrative hearing officer Jerry Cody as acting director of the Labor Administrative Hearing Office.

“No budgetary authority will be expended on this position as these duties will be consolidated temporarily with hearing officer duties,” she said.

Kaipat said Cody holds a permanent appointment as a hearing officer and will be paid only in that capacity.