‘Quichocho made fraudulent transfer of lands, properties’

Disbarred lawyer Ramon K. Quichocho allegedly transferred 10 parcels of land on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to his brother, Ignacio, supposedly for $30,000, while his and wife’s jury trial were ongoing in federal court, according to attorney Robert T. Torres.

That case eventually ended up with the Quichocho couple being held liable to pay $2.4 million in damages to businesswoman Jung Ja Kim.

Torres, counsel for Kim, also found out that on Aug. 27, 2014, after the entry of final judgment in Kim’s case, Quichocho quitclaimed an additional two parcels of property in Rota consisting a total of 8,077 square meters to his uncle, Joaquin Q. Atalig, for just a dollar.

Torres said Quichocho made the conveyances presumably either to avoid seizure by Kim or to avoid paying the increasing number of judgment creditors and former clients pursuing him for the fraudulent practices in which he engaged as a practicing attorney in the Commonwealth.

Torres disclosed his findings in Kim’s motion to collect the $2.4 million award filed in the U.S. District Court for the NMI on Wednesday.

In Kim’s motion, Torres asked the court to summon Quichocho and his wife Frances and compel them to divulge information about their assets and those transferred during the course of and subsequent to the litigation.

Torres also asked the court to direct Atalig and Quichocho’s brother, Ignacio, to appear at a hearing, bringing with them all documents relating all conveyances and transfers from the judgment debtors.

If the evidence confirms that Atalig and Ignacio are, in fact, in possession of assets that may be used to satisfy the judgment, Torres asked the court to issue an order voiding the 10 transfers to Ignacio and voiding the two other conveyances to Atalig.

Torres said under these circumstances, Kim may pursue assets of the Quichochos in the hands of Ignacio and Atalig that appear to have been transferred for little or inadequate consideration to avoid paying the judgment.

He said it is a matter of record that following the entry of judgment in this case, the Quichochos closed down their law firm on Saipan and their business Karissa LLC.

Torres said the Quichochos divested themselves of their interests in land and other property as of June 2014, left the CNMI, emptied their bank accounts, and took up residence in Washington State.

In addition, Torres said, their lawyer, Michael Dotts, withdrew from this case to collect fees due and owing.

Torres said neither Ramon nor Frances Quichocho has made any effort to pay the judgment against them.

The trial in Kim’s racketeering lawsuit began on Feb. 3, 2014. On March 28, 2014, the jury reached a unanimous verdict, holding the Quichocho couple, and his law firm liable to pay $2.4 million in damages to Kim.