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Villagomez, Santos couple face civil contempt
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Posted on May 14 2009
The federal court yesterday ordered former Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez, former Commerce Secretary James A. Santos, and Joaquina V. Santos to explain why they should not be held in civil contempt for violating a court order that directed them to cooperate with the U.S. Probation Office.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson commanded Villagomez and the Santos couple to appear in court on June 4 at 9am to explain why they should not be held in civil contempt for failing to fully comply with the court’s order.
Munson said he gave an oral order last April 24 directing the three to report to and cooperate fully with the U.S. Probation Office.
The cooperation includes submitting to a personal interview and signing all consent and waiver forms necessary for the Probation Office to complete its pre-sentence report.
Apparently, the defendants failed to comply with the order.
Munson stated, though, that if the court is notified by the U.S. Probation Office before 11:30am on Monday, May 18, 2009, that the defendants have signed all necessary forms and that the personal interview has started, this hearing will be canceled without a further court order.
Last April 24, the jurors rendered a guilty verdict against Villagomez, and the Santos couple for conspiracy to commit offenses against the U.S., wire fraud, theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, and bribery. Their sentencing was set for July 28, 2009.
Villagomez subsequently filed motions seeking a new trial and to disqualify U.S. District Court for the NMI chief judge Alex R. Munson from any further proceedings in the case.
