29 Sep 2020

Northern Marianas minority leader resigns abruptly

7:23 am on 29 September 2020

The Northern Marianas House of Representatives minority leader, Edwin Propst has resigned, citing "extreme stress" brought about by cyber bullying.

This follows a complaint of sexual misconduct lodged against him.

Earlier this month, the Department of Public Safety confirmed it was investigating the complaint.

The House has also been urged to conduct a formal ethics investigation into the offences, which allegedly occurred when Propst was a teacher at Marianas High School and at Northern Marianas College.

Propst had been one of the leading opposition candidates going into the November 3rd general elections.

In his resignation letter Propst said the accusation had broken him "emotionally, mentally, and physically" and that's why he's stepping away from politics.