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Customs chief, ex-gov’t officials reach settlement
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Posted on Jun 26 2023
Jose C. Mafnas
The parties in the lawsuit filed by Division of Customs and Bio-Security director Jose C. Mafnas have reached a settlement and have agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice.
Mafnas, former Finance secretary David DLG Atalig, and former chief of staff William Castro filed a stipulation—essentially an agreement— with the U.S. District Court for the NMI last week informing the court that they have reached a settlement in their case.
After reviewing the stipulation, District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona dismissed the case, with each party bearing its own costs and fees.
According to Manglona’s order last Thursday, the court retains jurisdiction to enforce the settlement agreement reached between the parties. “The court’s June 14, 2023, order to show cause against plaintiff is discharged and the hearing thereon scheduled for July 5, 2023, is vacated,” the order added.
Back in 2022, Mafnas filed a complaint against Castro, Atalig, and the CNMI government over his termination, alleging it was unlawful.
In his lawsuit, Mafnas, a civil service employee, said he was transferred to a non-existent position in the Department of Commerce because he was supporting incumbent Gov. Arnold I. Palacios who was running against other candidates in last year’s election.
Mafnas asked the court to prevent Atalig from removing him from his position as Customs director or to reinstate him pending court proceedings.
Mafnas also sought reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and damages in an amount to be determined in court.
Last August 2022, Manglona issued a preliminary injunction in favor of Mafnas to preserve the status quo based on the parties’ stipulation and reinstating him as Customs and Biosecurity director.
