Maria Gates-Meltel
Biography
Maria Gates was born in Palau to Ngiraked Gates and Tongko Mekui-Gates.{{Cite web |last=Señase |first=Jose |date=2011-01-07 |title=Palau's Angaur State Swears In Female Governor |url=http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2011/January/01-07-20.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190344/http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2011/January/01-07-20.htm |archive-date=2016-03-04 |website=Pacific Islands Report}} She married Jack Meltel, with whom she had three children, all sons, and multiple grandchildren.{{Cite web |last=Couso |first=Marshel |date=2017-07-17 |title=Amber Akiwo and Jackson Meltel Welcome Khloe Diluei Meltel |url=https://susanvillestuff.com/amber-akiwo-and-jackson-meltel-welcome-khloe-diluei-meltel/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=SusanvilleStuff |language=en-US}}
After serving in the Angaur State Legislature, Gates-Meltel was elected as governor of Angaur state in 2011, defeating incumbent Governor Steven Salii and another candidate, Natus Misech. She served for two terms as governor, from January 2011 to December 2014.{{Cite web |title=Governor Maria Gates Meltel |url=https://www.pacwip.org/country-profiles/palau/governor-maria-gates-meltel/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Pacific Women in Politics |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Kalyanikar |first=Eshan |date=2019-09-03 |title=Former Anguar Governor trial to be held on September 26, 27 |work=Island Times |url=https://islandtimes.org/former-anguar-governor-trial-to-be-held-on-september-26-27/ |access-date=2022-09-07}} Her governorship has been described by researchers as "reflect[ing] the leading role women continue to play in Angaur society."{{Cite web |last1=McGregor |first1=Andrew M. |last2=Bishop |first2=Robert V. |date=June 2011 |title=A technical assessment of the current agricultural conditions of Angaur Island Palau: with recommendations for the sustainable use of the island's natural resources |url=https://www.sprep.org/attachments/VirLib/Palau/technical-assessment-current-agricultural-conditions-angaur-island-Palau.pdf |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Pacific Regional Environment Programme}}
Since leaving office, she has worked as an administrative officer at the Palau Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and at the Ministry of State.{{Cite web |last=Kalyanikar |first=Eshan |date=2019-09-27 |title=Two OSP investigators were allegedly involved in criminal activity |url=http://islandtimes.org/two-osp-investigators-were-allegedly-involved-in-criminal-activity/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Island Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Office of Administration |url=https://www.palaugov.pw/executive-branch/ministries/state/office-of-administration/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=PalauGov |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kalyanikar |first=Eshan |date=2019-08-09 |title=Walk with your country's flag: MoS organized a Global Citizen Walk |url=http://islandtimes.org/walk-with-your-countrys-flag-mos-organized-a-global-citizen-walk/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Island Times |language=en-US}}
After leaving the governorship, accusations of cheating, violating the code of ethics, and misconduct in public office were brought against her after an investigation by the Office of the Public Auditor and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-02-20 |title=Former Angaur Governor, Maria Gates-Meltel, Convicted |url=https://www.palauosp.org/2020/02/20/former-angaur-governor-maria-gates-meltel-convicted/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Office of the Special Prosecutor {{!}} Republic of Palau |language=en-US}} The allegations pointed to a misuse of state assets or property for private purposes, specifically the use of $304.80 in Angaur state funds to purchase a round-trip plane ticket from San Francisco to Reno, Nevada, for non-official use. However, she maintained that "there are some people who are trying to frame me" and called the charges "political." In February 2020, she was found guilty on two counts, a felony count of misconduct in public office and a misdemeanor count of a code of ethics violation, and sentenced to a year of probation. She was also required to repay the $304.80 to Angaur state. All other charges against her were dismissed.
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Category:21st-century Palauan politicians