FirstNet freed from insurance obligation
Reporter
Consistent with the jury’s verdict, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona has issued a judgment discharging FirstNet Insurance Co. from any obligation to the owner of a Garapan clothing store that was burned in 2010.
In her order issued Wednesday, Manglona also ruled in favor of FirstNet in Zhen Rui Brother Corp.’s counterclaim against FirstNet for breach of contract.
Zhen Rui Brother Corp. is the owner of BL Clothing Store that was engulfed by fire on Oct. 30, 2010.
Manglona said the court awards costs other than attorney’s fees to FirstNet as the prevailing party in the case.
Any claim for attorney’s fees, the judge said, must be made by a motion.
A jury had found that on Oct. 30, 2010, either Zhen Rui Brother Corp. intentionally caused the fire at BL Clothing Store or someone with the permission of the corporation intentionally caused the blaze.
The jury also found that Zhen Rui Brother Corp. intentionally and materially overstated to FirstNet the actual cash value of its loss in the fire.
Attorney Richard W. Pierce is counsel for FirstNet. Attorneys Ramon Quichocho and Michael Dotts are counsels for Zhen Rui Brother Corp.