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Fitial won’t be present at Villagomez verdict
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Posted on Apr 23 2009
Gov. Benigno Fitial yesterday said he would not be present in the U.S. District Court to find out if the CNMI’s second-in-command will be found guilty of bribery, theft, conspiracy to defraud, and wire fraud charges.
“I think if I show up there I may cause some discomfort, you know,” Fitial said at a news briefing yesterday. “I prefer staying here. I’m hoping I would be helping more if I were to stay here and man the shop. Like I said, I still hope the lieutenant governor gets out of the problem he has.”
He added that he has all the respect for the law and will let it take its course.
Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez, along with his sister Joaquina Santos, and brother-in-law, former Commerce Secretary James Santos, are on trial for allegedly bilking the CNMI government out of thousands of dollars through business deals involving needless purchases of Rydlyme, a cleaning and de-scaling chemical, for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Jury deliberation is expected to begin today.
Throughout the trial, Villagomez has remained in his role as lieutenant governor, although he has not been reporting to the office because he has been in court every day.
Fitial has not attended the trial, but he said he receives daily updates.
Asked what he will do if Villagomez is convicted, the governor said he would seek legal advice.
“I would be consulting with the attorney general if ever I need to, but I’m focused on current events, keeping the government afloat,” he said.
According to Article III Section 3 of the Constitution, whenever the office of lieutenant governor is vacant, the governor must appoint a successor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
