Previous Story
Buckingham summons judge to testify at his trial
|
Posted on Jan 14 2014
Former attorney general Edward T. Buckingham has summoned Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho to testify at his trial next month.
At Buckingham’s request, the Superior Court’s clerk of courts issued the witness subpoena on Thursday that ordered Camacho to appear and testify at the former AG’s trial on Feb. 3 at 9am.
When asked about the subpoena yesterday, Camacho said he will follow the law and appear as a witness.
“I will tell the truth of any question asked,” he added.
The Office of Public Auditor filed 12 criminal charges against Buckingham in connection with an alleged violation of election laws and illegal award of a sole-source contract, among others.
OPA alleged that the then-AG Buckingham invited staff from his office to attend an August 2010 campaign party for Camacho, who was then running for delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Buckingham hired attorney Richard W. Pierce as his new counsel in the case following the disqualification of his first counsel, Brien Sers Nicholas.
On Sept. 11, 2012, Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman declared Buckingham a fugitive from justice for leaving the CNMI despite a criminal summons served him.
Police officers arrested Buckingham when he arrived on Saipan from Colorado and showed up at the Department of Public Safety’s commissioner’s office on May 28, 2013.
Buckingham, 64, left Saipan on June 4, 2013, shortly after Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo issued an order that granted his request to leave the CNMI and return to Colorado so he can obtain medical treatment.
