More allegations hurled against Wiseman

Rep. Stanley T. Torres yesterday brought up more allegations against Superior Court Associate Judge designate David A. Wiseman, calling on the Senate and the Office of Public Auditor for thorough background check of the governor’s choice.

Noting the issues he raised the first time are “a little bit vague,” he said these latest charges would provide specific cases concerning the lawyer’s conduct.

“I am giving them something to look into,” the Saipan lawmaker told reporters in an interview, adding he stands ready to testify once the Senate holds its confirmation hearing.

But he said the hearing should not be held on Tinian as reportedly being planned by the Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations chair Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano who is from that island municipality.

Mr. Torres, who has emerged a staunch critic of Mr. Wiseman’s nomination as the next judge, wrote a letter to Senate President Paul A. Manglona to disclose other cases that need further investigation by the committee and OPA.

Among them are criminal cases that date as far back as 1993 concerning “lost money,” his involvement with the Saipan Utility Agency on power billings with the former White Sands Hotel owner Adrian Johnston, and his “successful circumvention” of the permit procedural process in representing Jin Apparel garment factory.

He also questioned the statement of financial interests filed by Mr. Wiseman to the OPA last Jan. 4, such as his refusal to identify all his clients although he listed clients who owe him money.

Likewise, the documents failed to identify clients, including government agencies, of his company, Services Unlimited, that provides cleaning and manpower services, Mr. Torres alleged.

There is also no mention of his appointment as special judge since 1995 nor as a defended for which he is getting paid, added the representative.

He asked that senators should examine the CNMI Bar complaint against Mr. Wiseman lodged in March 1999 in a parole hearing where the lawyer was accused of unprofessional conduct and spouting offensive remarks to a witness.

“The Public Auditor should look deeply into all these matters as well as other issues raised previously,” Mr. Torres wrote the Senate leader.

“In particular, Mr. Wiseman’s statement of financial interests and all schedules required to be submitted in accordance with the Government Ethics Code should be carefully scrutinized,” he said.

Odd

In asking Mr. Manglona’s intervention to change the plan by EAGI to conduct its confirmation hearing on Tinian, Mr. Torres expressed concern that it could deprive Saipan residents to testify in the town meeting.

“Is that the normal procedure when there is a controversial appointment to make it more difficult for people of Saipan to testify,” he asked, explaining that Mr. Wiseman is a Saipan resident and he conducts almost all of his business on the island. “It does seem odd.”

Mr. Adriano earlier this week said the committee is expected to investigate the allegations leveled by Mr. Torres and war veteran Guy Gabaldon against the judge-designate before giving its advice and consent.

But he remained confident that Mr. Wiseman’s capability to assume the post which was vacated in June last year when former judge John A. Manglona was elevated to the Supreme Court as an associate justice.

Unfazed by his critics, Mr. Wiseman last week vowed to answer the allegations at a proper time when the EAGI considers his nomination.

A long-time contender to the post, Mr. Wiseman’s name was bypassed when the governor appointed lawyer Eric Smith in April last year along with former Judge Manglona. Mr. Smith was never confirmed by the Senate up until his nomination expired three months later.