Teno keeps hands off on Wiseman’s appointment

Amid allegations of bribery on Superior Court associate judge appointee David A. Wiseman, the administration will take a hands-off policy to allow the Legislature to decide on its own.

In an interview with reporters, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio disclosed that no plans has been laid out to help Mr. Wiseman get out of the barrage of accusations hurled against him.

In fact, the governor is giving the Senate Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigation Committee a free hand to determine the culpability of the lawyer on bribery assaults filed against him.

Mr. Tenorio said he thought, all along, that the lawyer had been cleared by the Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Recent developments alleged Mr. Wiseman was involved in a bribery incident back in 1986.

“It is up to the Legislature to determine whether he was involved or not in the incident, I assumed that special judges cleared him prior to my appointment,” the governor explained.

The Committee on Appointments and Government Investigation is currently investigating whether the accusations hold water or not as Rep. Stanley T. Torres consecutively exposed documents and evidence on the alleged bribery incident.

The committee earlier disclosed plans to call in utilities official Jesus A. Sasamoto to shed light on the allegations and the AGO to explain how the case was resolved despite the so-called evidence presented before the agency.

Mr. Torres urged the EAGI committee chair to incorporate all documents and information into the proceedings and to consider the evidence carefully.
The legislator has been actively campaigning against the lawyer since the hearing on the confirmation of Mr. Wiseman’s appointment came in the offing.

He said a judge holds a special position in the community and the questions of integrity posed against the lawyer deserve a serious scrutiny.

Mr. Wiseman already denied involvement on the bribery allegations. He explained that Mr. Sasamoto incriminated other individuals to reduce his sentence.

Documents showed the CUC official revealed to FBI agents that he received over $13,000 from the lawyer and Adrian Johnston of the Surf Hotel in exchange of a fixed rate for the hotel’s electricity consumption. (EGA)