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Karimipour under investigation
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Posted on Oct 03 2000
Chief Public Defender Masood Karimipour is under investigation for allegedly helping a man file a lawsuit against the CNMI government in the U.S. District Court.
Public Auditor Leo L. LaMotte was asked last month by Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero to conduct the probe on grounds that the PDO chief may have violated his employment contract with the government.
While the senator said lawyers employed in the government are permitted to seek outside legal employment, such action still needs approval from their immediate supervisor and that it will not be adverse to government’s interests.
“Mr. Karimipour appears to have helped a plaintiff sue the Commonwealth for [$1 million], without his supervisor’s prior written consent and which is definitely adverse to the government’s interests,” he said.
Documents given to OPA has indicated Mr. Karimipour has assisted Ramon Aldan Ayuyu in preparing and filing complaint in the federal court. It was also alleged that he even provided one of the PDO investigators as an interpreter during a meeting with Mr. Ayuyu.
These alleged actions of Mr. Karimipour may be a violation of the terms of his contract with the CNMI government or laws and regulations.
“Let us not forget even if Mr. Ayuyu’s lawsuit against the Commonwealth is ultimately unsuccessful, the Office of Attorney General would have expended countless hours and taxpayers’ funds defending the lawsuit,” Mr. Guerrero wrote to the OPA chief.
