Rota mayor found innocent

David Banes, left, and Steven Pixley, court-appointed counsels for Mayor Efraim Atalig and common-law wife Evelyn Atalig, respectively, speak to the media yesterday after their clients’ not guilty verdict in their corruption case in the U.S District Court for the NMI. (KIMBERLY A. BAUTISTA)

The corruption case of Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig and common-law wife Evelyn Atalig that has dragged on for nearly two years came to an end yesterday with federal court jurors unanimously deeming the Ataligs innocent on all counts.

During a verdict hearing yesterday before U.S District court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona Manglona, the men and women of the jury entered their verdict, unanimously acquitting the Atalig of all counts against them, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and two counts of false statement.

After two weeks of trial, at 2:40pm, Manglona discharged Efraim and Evelyn Atalig and all terms that were imposed on them were exonerated.

Saipan Tribune asked Efraim Atalig for a statement following the court’s decision, but he said he did not want to comment.

David Banes, the court-appointed counsel for Efraim Atalig, said it was not an easy case but the jury took their deliberations seriously and he feels justice was rendered to his client.

“We want to thank the ladies and gentlemen of the jury. It was not an easy case. We were there for too long weeks. And they obviously took their deliberations very seriously. They reviewed the evidence, they were asking for evidence, and we feel that they rendered justice here, felt that they really did do justice by the mayor and miss Evelyn. We sincerely thank them all,” he said.

Steven Pixley, who served as counsel for Evelyn Atalig, said his client is now free and this case is completely over for both the Ataligs since they no longer have any charges filed against them with the local court.

“You know, we went up against up two very good lawyers, great lawyers. We provided the federal government all the resources but justice was done. The client was released, he’s going to fly away into the jungle and be free. Its over here, he’s a free bird,” he said.

According to Saipan Tribune archives, the Ataligs were being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and false statement.

The prosecution alleged that the Ataligs went to a lot of CNMI-funded trips in 2018 with the primary if not only purpose was personal and not official.

The prosecution cited eight trips taken by the Ataligs at different times in 2018 to Guam, Palau, the U.S. mainland, South Korea, and Saipan.