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ON COURT JUDGMENTS VS GOVT, 2016 BUDGET ISSUES
Dotts to get testimony of various govt officials
»OAG to recommend Torres not to testify if subpoenaed
Attorney Michael Dotts, counsel for the parents of a baby who died during delivery in 2012 at the Commonwealth Health Center, will get the testimony of various government officials and staff in preparation of the hearing on the government’s budget and other issues.
At a status conference yesterday, Dotts, counsel for Jotonia B. Aguon and Timothy Cruz, informed the Superior Court that he will conduct depositions of government officials and staffs.
Deposition refers to the taking of testimony of a witness outside of court.
Saipan Tribune learned that Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho will hold an evidentiary hearing from May 9 to 11, 2016.
Camacho allowed Dotts to file on or before March 14, 2016, a motion for the court to find that the 2016 government’s budget is unconstitutional.
The government has until March 25, 2016, to file its opposition to the motion.
Assistant attorney general David Lochabay, counsel for the government, told the court that if Dotts will subpoena Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres to testify, he will move for the governor not to testify by exercising his executive privilege.
Camacho said the Office of the Attorney General should check with Torres first as maybe he wants to talk about the issue.
Attorney John Cool also appeared at the hearing as counsel for the House of Representatives.
Aguon and Cruz are holding a $35,000 judgment against the government over the death of their child. The couple brought up the issues in court on how to collect payments for court judgments against the government and the unbalanced 2016 budget.
