Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday she would talk with her chief of staff, Bob Awana, the target of an extortion plot who also has been questioned in a separate federal corruption probe in Saipan, but the governor would not otherwise comment on his situation.

Lingle, speaking to the news media at the state Capitol for the first time since returning from a trip to Indonesia and Japan, said it was her first day back at work and she would talk with Awana further.

The Advertiser reported earlier this month that Awana was the subject of an alleged extortion attempt by an Indian national who has been extradited from Tokyo, where he lives, and is being held in federal custody in Honolulu. The man has been indicted and faces an August trial.

Awana told the newspaper he had informed Lingle about the alleged extortion attempt.

The Advertiser also reported that Awana was questioned by federal agents about whether he bribed Saipan officials to help get a waste management contract in 2002. Awana, who owns a stake in Saipan Waste Management, denied the accusation. The contract was canceled in 2005.

"Well, obviously I read the articles while I was gone," Lingle said. "In one of those cases there's an ongoing criminal proceeding, so I'm not going to comment on it at all.

"I just got back, this is my first day at work, and I'll be talking with Bob further about it."

Asked about Awana's status, the governor said Awana is at work.

Awana is among Lingle's most trusted advisers and, along with senior policy adviser Linda Smith and senior communications adviser Lenny Klompus, leads the core decision-making team of her administration.