By Gina Tabonares
Variety News Staff

THREE former officials of the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority indicted for allegedly using government-issued credit cards illegally yesterday pleaded not guilty to the government corruption charges filed against them in December.
Former GEDCA finance and administration director Edward G. Untalan, former GEDCA chief financial officer David H. Sasai, and former GEDCA business development director Lester Carlson Jr. appeared in the courtroom of Judge Arthur Barcinas to answer the felony and official misconduct charges filed against them thru a grand jury indictment.
Untalan, 45, Sasai, 59, and Carlson, 47, were charged with fraudulent use of credit cards as a third-degree felony, theft of property as a second-degree felony, and official misconduct as a misdemeanor.
With their respective lawyers, they waived a speedy trial, asked for a jury trial of 12, a copy of discovery and grand jury transcripts, and to keep their passport.
Deputy Attorney General Lewis Littlepage recommended a $10,000 bail for the three defendants, which was opposed by the defendants’ lawyers.
Judge Barcinas instead ordered a $5,000 cash bail for each accused and required the three to check with the probation office by phone at least twice a week.
Sasai is scheduled to return for a criminal trial setting on Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Steven Unpingco, while Untalan and Carlson were both ordered for an April 6 hearing before Judge Barcinas.
According to the press statement earlier issued by the Attorney General’s Office, the three former GEDCA officers allegedly used credit cards belonging to GEDCA for their personal use.
Investigations showed that the three former government officials allegedly used the GEDCA credit cards from Oct. 1, 2000 to Dec. 26, 2003 for property and services exceeding $1,500 that was not related to official business of the government office.