Manglona: Quichocho again doing same improper tactics

Lawyer Ramon K. Quichocho is again doing the same improper tactics that initially prompted the court to impose sanction on him, according to U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona.

In denying Quichocho’s motion for reconsideration, Manglona gave the lawyer until Friday, June 27, at 4:30pm, to pay $1,200 in attorney’s fees to Ming Yang Corp., which owns Ming Yang Market.

In the event Quichocho fails to make the payment, Manglona said that Ming Yang may petition the court for an order to show cause against the lawyer to find him in contempt and impose further sanctions.

Attorney Mark Scoggins, counsel for Ming Yang, filed Friday a petition for an order to show cause as to why Quichocho should not be held in contempt for failing to pay $1,200 in attorney’s fees as ordered by the court.

Manglona issued the $1,200 sanction against Quichocho on June 16 for his late submission of his opposition to Ming Yang Corp.’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit. Part of the sanction included paying Ming Yang Corp.’s legal fees in preparing for a motion.

In that order, Manglona noted that over three months have passed from her order and fees have not been paid.

Ming Yang then asked for a court order directing Quichocho to pay this sanction “with all due haste.” Manglona granted the request and ordered the lawyer to pay the fees no later than June 25, 2014.

Last June 24, however, Quichocho filed a motion requesting Manglona to reconsider her order. Quichocho claimed that his opposition was due June 12, but that he left Saipan for personal and medical reasons on June 10, so he could not file an opposition.

In denying the motion, Manglona said Quichocho did not explain why he did not file an opposition before he left Saipan, or at least sought an extension.

Manglona said Quichocho claims he did not file an opposition or seek an extension because he was afraid of being sanctioned again.

“But that claim is incredulous. Because here he is now, essentially filing an opposition (styled as a motion for reconsideration) to the sanctions in its entirety,” the judge said.

That opposition, Manglona said, basically argues that Quichocho should not have been sanctioned for his initial failure to comply with court rules, and so all efforts to enforce the sanction should cease and be set aside.

Manglona said Quichocho’s motion for reconsideration is for essentially the same improper tactics—not filing a timely opposition and then later opposing the motion—that he was originally sanctioned, “yet here he is doing it again.”

The case relates to a lawsuit filed by the late William A. Tracy against several businesses on Saipan, including Ming Yang, for allegedly having facilities that are not accessible to persons with disabilities. Quichocho was his lawyer. Tracy was reportedly found dead last Feb. 7. The case has since been dismissed.