FEMA official Chuck Ada under federal investigation for circulating Joanne Brown petitions

Alleged Hatch Act violations took place while he was on official duty in a government facility

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Authority Region IX administrator Robert Fenton confirmed a federal inquiry into his subordinate, Charles "Chuck" Ada, who is the head of the FEMA Integration Team for Guam

Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense employees have accused Mr. Ada of circulating petitions to nominate Joanne Brown for senator under the Republican primary at the GHS/OCD offices in Agana Heights during working hours. Mr. Ada is situated at the local government facility, which houses the federal Fusion Center, and which receives significant funding from FEMA.

"FEMA takes these allegations seriously and is reviewing this matter," Mr. Fenton stated in an email reply to Kandit's inquiry on the matter. "All FEMA employees are subject to the Hatch Act.  FEMA provides its employees Hatch Act training."

FEMA Official Charles "Chuck" Ada

The Hatch Act is the federal statute defining and prohibiting federal employees from engaging in certain types of political activities. Mr. Ada is a federal employee, who is covered under the federal Hatch Act. The GHS/OCD employees making the allegations against Mr. Ada are government of Guam employees, who are covered under the local government's law on political activities: the Mini Hatch Act.

Mr. Ada is known as a 'less restricted federal employee.' Under the Hatch Act, he may not:

Engage in political activity – i.e., activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group – while the employee is on duty, in any federal room or building, while wearing a uniform or official insignia, or using any federally owned or leased vehicle. For example, while at work employees may not:

• Distribute campaign materials or items

• Display campaign materials or items

• Perform campaign related chores

Use his official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election, by for example:

• Using his official titles or positions while engaged in political activity

• Inviting subordinate employees to political events or otherwise suggesting to subordinates that they attend political events or undertake any partisan political activity

Knowingly solicit or discourage the participation in any political activity of anyone who has business pending before their employing office.

GHS/OCD employees all have business pending before FEMA, especially during this public health crisis, as FEMA determines what costs incurred during the emergency are reimbursable to the government of Guam. Chuck Ada was hired last year by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to serve as the FEMA Integration Team for Guam and work directly with GHS/OCD on planning and recovery for emergency events in the region.

Republican Senatorial Candidate Joanne SW Brown

Mr. Ada is a longtime Republican and leader within the Republican Party of Guam and the former Calvo administration.

He worked with Joanne Brown in former Gov. Eddie Calvo's cabinet.

He was the executive manager of the airport while she was the general manager of the seaport. She is now running for senator under the Republican party of Guam banner.