MAGISTRATE Judge Heather Kennedy of the District Court for the NMI issued an order Friday directing Dr. John Doyle and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI to exchange settlement statements by June 3.
Judge Kennedy set a settlement conference for June 11 at 9 a.m.
She said the parties must also submit any additional information that may assist the judge during the settlement discussions.
“These statements will not become part of the case file and will only be used for conducting settlement discussions in this matter,” she added.
She said the statements should include a brief outline of the facts of the case; undisputed issues and major issues in dispute; remedy sought, such as general damages, special damages and punitive damages; previous demand(s) and counteroffer(s); and any other information which may encourage settlement of this matter.
In addition, “Each party must attend the conference with an authorized representative possessing full settlement authority and counsel. Parties may appear by videoconference as arranged with the clerk’s office. If counsel or a representative with full authority is unable to appear in-person or by videoconference, the party must seek the court’s permission to participate by an alternate method.”
Doyle has been accused by the U.S. government of dispensing opioids and controlled substances 73 times.
The U.S. government is seeking judgment from the District Court for the NMI requiring Doyle to pay civil penalties in the total amount of $4,936,771.
Doyle, who is represented by attorney Steven Pixley, has denied the allegations and is demanding a jury trial.
He said the U.S. Attorney’s Office is “not the Cavalry coming to rescue you from a rogue doctor. They are unethical and willing to bend, twist, obfuscate, and scare people with impunity. I have no recourse against their vile statements. I can’t sue. I can only take out my wallet and try to defend myself. That is what I will do.”
