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Fitial submits off-island itinerary
Former governor Benigno R. Fitial has informed the Superior Court of his off-island travel itinerary, in compliance with Associate Judge David A. Wiseman’s pre-trial release conditions.
Fitial, through counsel Stephen J. Nutting, filed on Wednesday his itinerary along with his contact information.
The governor gave the court the phone numbers of his wife Josie, Josie’s sister Violeta P. Che, and Nutting.
Fitial said his wife, Che, and Nutting are aware of his whereabouts while he is off-island.
Fitial left the CNMI for the Philippines on Wednesday, reportedly to see his doctor for his medical rehabilitation.
According to the travel itinerary, the former governor will be leaving Manila, Philippines for Taipei on Saturday, May 10, 2014. From Taipei he will proceed to Los Angeles, California. He will then leave Los Angeles for Taipei and back to Manila on May 26, 2014.
Fitial earlier told reporters that after his treatment in the Philippines, he will proceed to the U.S. mainland to attend his youngest son’s graduation from San Diego State on May 16, 2014.
In his pre-trial order, Wiseman said that Fitial is barred from leaving the CNMI without the court’s permission. He required Fitial to give the court a copy of his itinerary and at least three contacts who have knowledge of his whereabouts in the Philippines and who can contact him, if necessary.
Fitial earlier pleaded not guilty to 10 criminal charges filed against him by the CNMI government.
Wiseman set a case management conference either on July 8 or 9, 2014. Fitial does not need to personally attend the case management conference. The information charged the 68-year-old Fitial with one count of solicitation of escape, five counts of misconduct in public office, one count of conspiracy to commit escape, one count of use of public position to obtain benefits for business or social acquaintances, one count of conspiracy to commit theft of services, and one count of theft of services.
The charges were related to the unauthorized release of a federal inmate, award of a sole-source American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract, and shielding of former attorney general Edward T. Buckingham from being served with penal summons.
