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IT&E sues NMI govt
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Posted on Jan 12 2005
A Guam-based telecommunications company has sued the CNMI government for alleged nonpayment of services amounting to over $20,000.
IT&E Overseas Inc. filed with the Superior Court a civil action against the CNMI government over a longstanding debt arising from unpaid telecommunication services for Rota’s police department.
Rota’s Department of Public Safety, however, continues to provide unhampered public service, having working phones lines that are being provided by another company.
IT&E’s attorney, Michael White, said the company had a pending claim against the CNMI government even before the parties reached a settlement on Aug. 27, 2003.
Upon reaching the settlement, however, the company agreed to the CNMI paying it only $20,280.70, instead of $24,247.50, according to White. He said that the settlement provided for an initial $916.49 payment by the CNMI, which was to be followed by $1,000 monthly installments beginning Sept. 30, 2003.
White said the government only paid IT&E the initial $916-plus on Sept. 24, 2003, but failed to make monthly installments.
He said the government refused to settle its debt despite IT&E’s demand, prompting the company to file a lawsuit to collect on the remaining balance for unpaid services.
