Manglona didn’t find Woodruff in contempt

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona did not find lawyer Stephen C. Woodruff in civil contempt after hearing his arguments in connection with a third order to show cause issued against him.

Manglona, however, told Woodruff that he should know how to request for an enlargement of time to extend the deadlines for his reporting requirements and that he should recognize that he has a deadline to file the report.

The judge also advised Woodruff to take action on the pending motion he had filed.

The motion referred to was Woodruff’s motion to vacate or amend a reporting requirement.

In that motion, Woodruff asked the court to vacate the finding of contempt it entered against him on Nov. 12, 2014. He also requested for a refund of the $500 fine he paid the court.

In his motion, the lawyer said the reporting requirements imposed are unsupported by rule or case law, unnecessary to achieve any legitimate need of the court, and unduly burdensome upon him.

Rather than furthering the administration of justice, he said the reporting requirements simply create the opportunity for, and even invites, overly strict and onerous application against him.

At the hearing, Manglona stated that this was the third order to show cause issued against Woodruff.

Manglona gave Woodruff clear notice that compliance would not necessitate any further hearings and on prior occasions the failure to comply lasted for months and the court was giving notice that it is not going to allow such continued disregard.

Woodruff stated that he was tied up with other matters. He said he has been and continues to be involved in several highly demanding, time-critical, urgent, and complex matters.

In the third order to show cause issued early this month, Manglona ordered Woodruff to appear and explain why he should not be held in contempt for failure to comply with the August 2013 order and sanctioned accordingly.

The judge said Woodruff was required to submit a report on or before March 1, 2015, but no report has been submitted.

On Aug. 8, 2013, based on Woodruff’s disbarment in the CNMI courts and serious allegations of attorney misconduct, Manglona ordered him to “notify the court, in writing, of the progress of his disciplinary matter in the Commonwealth courts” within the last five business days of each month.

Manglona also cautioned Woodruff that he was required to file a written report with the court each month “even if there has been no activity in the case whatsoever.”