Ex-DPS chief calls Ogumoro’s allegations ‘outrageous’

James C. Deleon Guerrero described yesterday as outrageous the allegations levied against him by former Department of Public Safety deputy commissioner Ambrosio T. Ogumoro.

Deleon Guerrero, a former DPS commissioner, said he welcomes any investigation.

“I will not dignify the complaint of a deranged and unhinged individual by justifying my actions or inactions during my tenure as commissioner,” said Deleon Guerrero in response to Saipan Tribune’s request for comments pertaining to Ogumoro’s allegations.

Deleon Guerrero said the allegations being levied against him are completely untrue and that he welcomes any investigation into the allegations.

He urged Ogumoro instead to return the car that he stole, pay all restitution he owes DPS, serve his community service, and serve his sentence.

Deleon Guerrero said Ogumoro should respect the criminal justice system by acknowledging the jury’s unanimous decision and taking full responsibility for his actions and his total disregard of the rule of law.

Ogumoro filed last week an official complaint with Attorney General Edward Manibusan about alleged corruption at DPS during the administrations of then-governors Benigno R. Fitial and Eloy S. Inos involving Deleon Guerrero, current DPS administration director Kaye Inos, and others.

In his complaint, Ogumoro alleged that Deleon Guerrero and Kaye Inos used over $40,000 in CNMI government monies to go off-island for a “lovers vacation.”

Ogumoro also alleged, among other things, that Deleon Guerrero asked for 13 inmates, ostensibly to remove furniture and office equipment; instead, the inmates were made to move evidence from a DPS container to a DPS office space.

He also alleged that Deleon Guerrero stopped an investigation on a police officer who falsified overtime hours, as that officer had obtained evidence that Deleon Guerrero had sex with a minor.

Last May 2, Ogumoro was found guilty of two corruption charges and acquitted of four other charges.

The jury found him guilty of theft by deception but not guilty of theft by unlawful taking.

Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, who decided on the misdemeanor charges, found Ogumoro guilty of one count of misconduct in public office, not guilty of two counts of removal of government property, and not guilty of one count of misconduct in public office.

Assistant attorney general Matthew Baisley, counsel for the government, said the jury found Ogumoro guilty of stealing the 1995 Toyota Tercel owned by DPS but not the department’s computer.

Ogumoro will be sentenced on Sept. 12, 2017.