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$12 MILLION LAWSUIT Teno: ‘I don’t mean to put Lang in jail’
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Posted on Oct 20 1999
Saying he is just complying with the law, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday denied claims by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio that the administration wants to put him in jail in connection with a court ruling on a taxpayers’ lawsuit ordering him to pay $12.4 million.
“I don’t want to see anybody in jail… I have no intention of putting people in jail. We just want to follow what is the requirement of the law,” he told reporters.
His statement came as the Attorney General’s Office wrapped up its review of the request for assistance sought by the former governor ahead of the court hearing on his appeal against the decision.
According to the governor, government lawyers are expected to come up with their decision soon and that information will be provided to media regarding the status of Froilan’s request.
A call to the AG’s office to seek comment was not returned.
The two Tenorios met last Friday at the Office of the Governor in Capitol Hills, but the former governor said the administration declined his request due to differences on the interpretation of the law on public employee legal defense and indemnification.
Froilan said this law is being used to deny him legal and financial support for a case that occurred while he was in office. The lawsuit, filed by Jeanne Rayphand on behalf of CNMI taxpayers, accused him of misspending public funds in 1994.
“The interpretation of the indemnification act is misleading. Maybe these people (the governor and AG) want to put me in jail,” he said in an interview over the weekend.
The former governor also pointed out that he must notify the court of a new lawyer to represent him in the hearing of his appeal scheduled next month — which was the reason that prompted the meeting with his successor in an attempt to seek assistance for his legal defense.
Froilan is contesting the 1997 ruling issued by Special Judge Benjamin J.F. Cruz from Guam, holding him liable for the penalty, attorney’s fees and other charges amounting to $12.4 million which must be paid to the CNMI people.
