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Saipan Mayor’s Office sued
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Posted on May 02 2000
While preparations are underway for the 2000 Liberation Day Celebration, the Saipan Mayor’s Office now finds itself in hot water for failing to settle financial obligation during the 1999 Liberation Day Celebration.
Joeten Motor Co. Inc. has filed a civil case against the 1999 Liberation Day Committee before the Superior Court for issuing a check amounting to $5,000 without sufficient funds as final payment for the Sentra car given away as grand raffle prize during the Liberation Day Celebration.
The complaint filed by lawyer Joshua Berger, counsel for Joeten Motor, said a letter has been sent to the 1999 Liberation Day Committee on Nov. 24 last year demanding payment plus $25 service charge within 30 days or charges will be filed in court..
But the demand letter was simply ignored. As a result, Joeten is now seeking $5,000 in damages, $750 maximum statutory penalty pursuant to the Bad Check Act, and $250 in attorney’s fees.
Last year’s Committee chair Sonya Pangelinan issued the $5,000 Bank of Hawaii check to Joeten Motor on Aug. 30, 1999. The Liberation Day Committee was created by the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
Funds raised during the Liberation Day Celebration are used to assist various community programs and scholarships. However, Liberation Day Celebrations have always been plagued with financial problems with the 1998 Liberation Day Queen complaining about the Committee’s failure to give all the prizes which she was supposed to receive.
