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Ex-CRM chief to be tried in Rota
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Posted on Nov 18 1999
Former Coastal Resources Management Director Felipe Q. Atalig, who has been accused of sexual harassment by CRM staff, will be tried in the island municipality of Rota, the Superior Court said yesterday.
During a hearing, Superior Court Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama granted the request of Atalig’s lawyer Michael Dotts to hold the trial in Rota citing economic reasons. Dotts explained bringing eight defense witnesses from the island municipality to Saipan would be costly.
Atalig, the first senior official in the Commonwealth to be dismissed under the administration of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, has been charged with misconduct in public office, disturbing the peace and assault and battery based on a complaint filed by a CRM employee.
The incident led Tenorio to issue stern warnings against government officials that his administration will not tolerate such misconduct in public office and that he will use his powers to punish the perpetrators. Atalig’s was terminated on April 20, 1999.
Court records show that the alleged crime took place in Rota on March 19, 1999, when Atalig went on a business trip. Dotts claimed witnesses will testify that Atalig and the victim had dinner and went to a karaoke bar where she was serenaded. Upon returning to the hotel, Atalig allegedly kissed the victim.
“We will prove to the court that this was an outcome of a romantic and consensual evening, thus, there is no case,” said Dotts. He said the incident should not have been brought to court in the first place and should have been settled by the parties involved since there was no coercion involved.
The governor reminded heads of departments and government agencies that as officials, they must set good examples to employees to ensure that workplaces are safe from sexual abuse. Tenorio has also encouraged government workers not to hesitate in reporting such incident to his office.
