By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands – The United States has charged CNMI Lieutenant Governor, Timothy Villagomez, with allegedly accepting bribes as part of a plan to cheat the government out of thousands of dollars.

Lieutenant Governor Villagomez is charged along with two co-defendants, James and Joaquina Santos. The Santoses allegedly offered Mr. Villagomez $15,000 in exchange for the government purchase of a cleaning chemical called Rydlyme.

The couple’s plan was reportedly to cheat the government by facilitating needless business deals like the purchase of Rydlyme for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.

Meanwhile, the CUC executive director, Anthony Guerrero, is currently charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, and theft of federal funds.

Unlike Guerrero, who entered a guilty plea agreement, the Santos have pled not guilty.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – New bribery charge against Lieutenant Governor in CNMI – 18 January 2009

Pacific Daily News – New Charges in CNMI Case – 16 January 2009