Call Made to Governor Calvo Prompts MRFC Analysis

A recent interaction between Governor Eddie Calvo and a group claiming to be from the Ukraine Prime Minister’s office prompted action from the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC).

In September 2017, an email was sent to Adelup, seemingly from the office of the Ukraine Prime Minister requesting a phone call with Governor Calvo regarding the North Korea threat. This followed international media attention on Guam regarding the North Korea threats, and official visits from international officials —including the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. along with his deputy —there was a request to speak to the Governor. The email did include facts and verifiable information, allowing the phone call to occur.

Governor Calvo handled the phone call well. He noted partway through the call that something was not right. Governor Calvo was gracious and completed the call in a professional manner.

During the phone call, topics such as the poor quality of missiles sold to North Korea and the military fleet capabilities of the Ukraine were discussed. These professional pranksters also requested that Governor Calvo make the phone call public and share the discussion with President Trump. None of these requests were acted upon.

Homeland Security Advisor, George Charfauros directed the MRFC to vet all information, providing the initial email and all data from the phone call. Chief of Staff Mark Calvo also contacted a National Security Advisory Council member to inform him of the call.

Findings relayed that other high-level executives such as U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham, John McCain, Republican Majority leader Mitch McConnell, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley also received a prank call from people posing as international heads of state. The administration decided not to take further action.

For more information, contact Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.