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Evidence allegedly proves two more improper trips by Atalig
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Posted on Mar 11 2019
The U.S. government has disclosed that federal investigators discovered last week evidence of two more improper trips that Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig made.
Assistant U.S. attorney Eric O’Malley informed the U.S. District Court for the NMI last Thursday about Atalig’s alleged ninth and possibly 10th trips.
O’Malley said he has informed defense lawyer David George Banes that, in addition to two trips that will be heard at the March 12 trial, he will seek to introduce evidence of the two other trips.
The prosecutor said the U.S. government was previously aware that Atalig took these trips, but only last week discovered evidence of an improper purpose.
O’Malley said the U.S. government will come prepared to introduce this evidence, as well as evidence relating to the other trips, in support of its contention that they are all admissible as part of an ongoing scheme.
He said these trips are inextricably intertwined with that scheme, or alternatively, are admissible under Federal Rules of Evidence.
The new trial date in this case is June 4, 2019 at 10am.
Manglona set the hearing on Atalig’s motion to exclude evidence relating to three trips for March 15 at 9am.
Atalig and his girlfriend, Evelyn M. Atalig, are indicted on five corruption charges for CNMI government-funded trips to California, Palau, Guam, and Saipan that were allegedly arranged under fraudulent pretenses.
The superseding indictment charged Efraim and Evelyn Atalig each with wire fraud, conspiracy, theft from program receiving federal funds, and false statements.
The charges involve at least five trips taken by the Ataligs in 2018.
The defendants pleaded not guilty of all charges.
