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It’s a go for Ataligs’ trial
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Posted on Mar 05 2020
Efraim Atalig
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona ruled late yesterday afternoon that the jury trial will proceed this Tuesday in the case against Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig and his girlfriend, Evelyn Atalig.
This comes soon after Manglona denied Efraim Atalig’s renewed request to move the trial to a later date.
At the hearing, assistant U.S. attorney Eric O’Malley, counsel for the U.S. government, confirmed that he sent a letter of immunity to all of Efraim Atalig’s co-defendants in the Superior Court case.
David G. Banes, counsel for Efraim Atalig, argued for the continuance of the trial. Steven Pixley, counsel for Evelyn Atalig, joined in Efraim Atalig’s motion.
Banes renewed his motion for continuance of the trial in the federal case after learning that the U.S. Attorney’s Office offered the unindicted witnesses an “informal immunity” and not “statutory immunity.”
Banes said statutory immunity enables a court to compel the testimony of a non-cooperating witness.
O’Malley informed the court that it will take an estimated five days to present their case.
Manglona informed the parties that there will be 12 jurors and two alternates, for a total of 14 jurors.
In the federal court case, Efraim and Evelyn Atalig are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft, wire fraud, theft from program receiving federal funds, and false statement.
In the Superior Court case, the Office of the Attorney General charged Efraim Atalig and seven co-defendants with misconduct in public office, which is misdemeanor offense. The bench trial is currently set for March 20.
