Ex-cop testifies how investigation started that led to recovery of computers

Former police officer Kevin Maratita testified yesterday in the Superior Court how he started the investigation in March 2013 that led to the recovery of a CPU desktop, a laptop computer, a computer monitor, and a printer belonging to the Department of Public Safety inside the main office of True North Bar and Grill in Garapan, owned by then-DPS deputy commissioner Ambrosio T. Ogumoro.

Maratita, who is now employed with the Commonwealth Casino Commission, is the first government witness in the ongoing jury trial of Ogumoro and co-defendant Herman M. Manglona for corruption charges.

Maratita said he was then temporarily detailed at DPS internal affairs when then-DPS Commissioner James Deleon Guerrero tasked him on March 7, 2013 to investigate allegations regarding a desktop computer allegedly misused by a high ranking DPS official.

Maratita said he only learned that the high-ranking official was Ogumoro after he met with a DPS information technology staff, who disclosed that he saw the DPS computer inside Ogumoro’s office at True North Bar and Grill.

He testified that he and other officers then served a search warrant at the True North on March 12, 2013,where they seized the computer and other items belonging to DPS.

Maratita said at that time, Ogumoro was off-island.

Maratita identified the CPU desktop, laptop computer, a computer monitor, and a printer that the prosecution presented as evidence as among those they recovered from the bar.

The second amended information charged Ogumoro with eight counts relating to theft by deception, misconduct in public office, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, removal of government property, and theft by unlawful taking.

The second amended information also charged Manglona with conspiracy to commit theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Before Maratita took the witness stand, the prosecution and the defense counsels had their opening statements.

In the government’s opening statements, assistant attorney general Matthew Baisley said the evidence will show that Ogumoro and Manglona are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of all charges.

Baisley said this is a case about using a DPS position, the second highest official then at DPS, to steal property.

Baisley said Ogumoro and Manglona tricked the government by bringing a 1995 Toyota Tarcel that belonged to DPS to an auto shop to be repaired using DPS funds totaling $2,500 and then sold the car as “scrap” for only $50.

The prosecutor said three days after the repair of the car for $2,500, it was sold to Manglona for $50 right from Ogumoro’s mouth.

The prosecutor said second a DPS employee was ordered to bring a DPS desktop computer to a shop for repairs using DPS funding in the amount of $276.

Baisley said the computer was later used in the office at True North Bar & Grill.

In Ogumoro’s opening statements, defense counsel Mark B. Hanson said the case is all about a vendetta by then-new DPS Commissioner James Deleon Guerrero against Ogumoro.

Hanson said at the time, DPS vehicles need to be maintained and Ogumoro stepped in using his no-nonsense military style of management.

Hanson said Ogumoro was just doing his job.

Hanson said the 1995 Toyota Tercel in 2012 was a real piece of junk.

The lawyer said it’s a management decision to sell a junk car for $50.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. No crimes,” Hanson said.

With respect to the computer, Hanson said even at True North Bar, Ogumoro did all his work as DPS deputy commissioner.

“It’s not a crime. A very legitimate reason,” he added.

In Manglona’s opening statements, assistant public defender Tillman Clark, counsel for Manglona, said his client has been accused of crime that he did not commit.

Clark said when Manglona bought the car for $50 the vehicle was trash as it barely ran.

Clark said Manglona with the help from a family friend fixed the car and after eight months sold it for $700.

“None of that is a crime at all,” Clark said. “There is no grand conspiracy.”
When Saipan Tribune left the courtroom at 4pm, Hanson was still cross-examining Kevin Maratita.