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Quichocho’s, wife’s motion for judgment in their favor denied
The federal court denied yesterday a motion by disbarred lawyer Ramon K. Quichocho and his wife, Frances, to issue a judgment in their favor despite a jury’s verdict that found them guilty in the racketeering lawsuit filed against them by businesswoman Jung Ja Kim.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona ruled that because the Quichochos’ motion was untimely filed and that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure circumscribe the court’s discretion to extend deadlines for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or new trial motions, she will deny the motion.
Manglona said the judgment was entered on April 3, 2014, and the electronic notice was provided to counsel that same day.
The judge pointed out that a motion for judgment notwithstanding a verdict or for a new trial must have been submitted 28 days later, on or before May 1, 2014.
Manglona said the Quichochos’ motion was filed on May 2, 2014, at 12:22am—a day late.
In March 28, a federal jury reached a unanimous verdict holding the Quichocho couple and his law form liable to pay $2.4 million in damages to Kim.
The jury, however, found Kim liable to pay Quichocho and his law firm $48,221 in legal fees.
In Quichochos’ motion, attorney Michael Dotts asserted that Kim failed to prove that he engaged in a “pattern of racketeering activity” and that the court should issue a judgment in their favor.
