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Judge transfers criminal case vs ex-CUC manager to Texas
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Posted on Apr 02 2012
The federal court transferred yesterday to the Southern District of Texas the criminal case filed against David P. Preston, the man hired for a management position at the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. but who never returned to Saipan after receiving an advance payment of $15,504.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona ordered the transfer of Preston’s case after receiving the defendant’s written statement filed in the Southern District of Texas.
In the statement, Preston expressed his wish to plead guilty and waive trial in the U.S. District Court for the NMI.
Preston also consented to the U.S. District Court for the NMI’s disposing of the case in the Southern District of Texas, where he was arrested and currently is present.
Manglona said the U.S. Attorneys in both districts approved the transfer of the case.
The indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the NMI charges Preston with four counts of wire fraud.
Preston was arrested in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2011.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation, with the assistance from the CNMI Office of the Public Auditor.
The indictment alleges that Preston obtained monies by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, and by omissions of facts.
Preston allegedly sent by fax transmission his employment application, which contained false information, to CUC, caused CUC to expend monies toward his salary, and moving expenses, and the wire transfer of funds from CUC to his personal bank account.
According to CUC, Preston worked only for six days and returned to Texas in 2010.
