Camacho wants quick resolution of lawsuit over casino law

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho wants to immediately resolve Ramon K. Quichocho’s taxpayer’s lawsuit that questioned the constitutionality of the two-month-old casino law.

At a status hearing on Friday, Camacho cited the need to quickly resolve Quichocho’s lawsuit because many retirees are interested in getting the matter resolved.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos, during the GOP kickoff rally on March 23, 2014, announced the signing of Public Law 18-38 (as amended by P.L. 18-43) or the casino law and made a promise to return the 25 percent the administration slashed from retirees’ pensions in connection with the settlement agreement in Betty Johnson’s class action.

Camacho granted Quichocho’s request to hold the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction hearings at the same time on May 27 at 9am.

Assistant attorneys general David Lochabay, Teresita Sablan, and Reena Patel appeared for the government, Gov. Eloy Inos in his individual capacity, and the Commonwealth Lottery Commission, respectively.

Quichocho cited Rep. Janet Maratita’s (Ind-Saipan) lawsuit against former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial over the power purchase agreement, when the government agreed to waive a TRO hearing to save time sending and answering to subpoenas.

Quichocho, who also served as counsel for Maratita in that case, suggested that Inos, the CNMI government, and the Commonwealth Lottery Commission agree to the issuance of a TRO without a hearing.

Lochabay, however, opposed this, saying it’s a different case and circumstances.

Camacho asked Quichocho to submit his pleadings by May 20, 2014, and allowed the defendants to respond by May 26.

Camacho also disclosed to Quichocho that his brother, Rep. George Camacho (R-Saipan), was mentioned in the lawsuit, although he’s not a defendant. Quichocho said there may be a conflict and that he will look into it.

Camacho also disclosed that he used to be a counsel for the NMI Retirement Fund and that his wife, Viola Alepuyo, is counsel for the Fund. Quichocho said he needs to further research that issue too.

Quichocho filed the lawsuit on Wednesday for himself and on behalf of CNMI taxpayers. The lawyer is suing Inos and co-defendants for alleged violation of the NMI Constitution, illegal expenditure of public funds, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of trust.

Quichocho stated in his complaint that this case is about “an unconstitutional casino law that was passed only by the votes of some conflicted representatives in the House, and only by the votes of some conflicted senators, and signed by conflicted governor.”