---

Perman and Sapelalut sworn into office

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): July 27, 2007 - President Manny Mori inducted two more members of his Cabinet into office on Monday July 23, 2007.

In a short ceremony in the President's Cabinet Room, Secretary Finley S. Perman of the Department of Finance and Administration and Chief Public Defender Julius Joey Sapelalut of the National Office of Public Defender were sworn into office.

President Mori administered the Oath of Office to two Cabinet members who swore to faithfully execute the duties and responsibilities for their respective positions and to uphold and promote and support the laws and Constitution of the FSM.

The brief Oath of Office ceremony was witnessed by government officials and close family members of Secretary Perman and Chief Public Defender Sapelalut.

Prior to his nomination, Secretary Perman was Pohnpei State Government's Director of Finance. He is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific College. Perman has over 200 CPE credit hours from USDA Graduate School. He has extensive training hours in auditing, investigative auditing and banking. Perman's employment background in the financial arena ranges from being a Business Development Specialist for the Pohnpei Small Business Guarantee & Finance Corp to Lead Auditor for the Office of FSM Public Auditor and to Senior Service Assistant at the Bank of Hawaii branch in Pohnpei. Perman has over 12 years work experience in auditing and banking.

Perman succeeds former Secretary Nick L. Andon.

Chief Sapelalut was the Chief of the Division of Litigation under the Office of the Chuuk State Attorney General before his nomination by President Mori. Prior to his employment with the Chuuk State Government, Sapelalut served as Staff Attorney for the FSM Public Defender Office, Pohnpei Branch.

Sapelalut received his JD in 2002 from the Appalachian School of Law. He is also a graduate of the University of Texas.

He succeeds former Chief Beauleen Carl-Worswick.