CNMI lieutenant Governor quits after being found guilty of corruption
Updated
The Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has resigned, after being found guilty of corruption. Timothy Villagomez was convicted on five counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, theft of United States Government funds and bribery for trying to sell an overpriced and unneeded chemical called Rydlyme to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. Mr Villagomez is the highest ranking official from the Northern Marianas islands ever convicted in a federal criminal case and now faces up to 20 years in jail.
Presenter Helene Hoffman
Speaker: Press secretary for the Governor of the Northern Marianas Charles Reyes
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REYES: The administration actually received his resignation. It was effective and executed and I think everybody understands the decision and respects the decision and is looking forward to moving foward from this point on and appointing another successor, of course, with the advice and consent of our senate persuant to our constitutional process.
HOFMAN: Governor Fitial had stood by Villagomez during this case. Did he react in any way to him being found guilty? What was his reaction to that?
REYES: Oh yes, the governor issued a statement even when the Lieutenant Governor was indited and of course after , when he was found guilty in a court of law, the governor also issued a statement making it clear his position and his regret and sadness over this incident and of course expressed his support for the family involved. This is difficult for the Lieutenant Governor. It's very difficult for his family and it's very difficult for the Commonwealth. The Governor actually has been consulting the governor and his family over the weekend and I think there is a clear understanding of why this decision needed to be made. The decision was entirely up to the Lieutenant Governor and he made that decision very quickly and so the governor has full grasp of the situation and at this point, we just prepare to move on.
HOFMAN: Now I understand there have been calls for his resignation earlier on in the case. As you say he has now decided to resign, but I understand that he had no choice, because anyone convicted can't hold office. Is that correct?
REYES: Well, there is a little bit of a legal dispute about that. Lawyers disagree. I mean it is true that a person convicted of a felony is not eligible to hold office, but eligibility requirements are not the same in a vacancy situation. If you are convicting a felony, you are not going to be able to run for governor or lieutenant governor or some other high office. But it may not, or at least according to some lawyers, it may not automatically create a vacancy and there is a distinction to be made here. In any case, the issue has now moved, because the Lieutenant Governor made the decision and so now we find ourselves in a situation where a successor can be appointed and thats the intention of the governor right now.
HOFMAN: Can you comment on the speculation that the Finance Secretary, Eloy Inos will be taking over. That's based on the fact that he was due to run as Lieutenant Governor along with Fitial in the November elections?
REYES; Oh yes, and that is the logical choice and I think most people believe that that will be the successor and much again depends on the willingness of the senate to confirm Mr Inos or whoever else the governor may choose to nominate or appoint. It just depends on negotiation and the deliberations of the senate.
