By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
ELOIDA Dela Cruz Macaranas is the second defendant to secure a dismissal in the Saipan Mayor’s Office funds case, following a court-approved settlement that ended the criminal proceedings against her. Under the agreement, she will pay $7,500 to the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo granted the dismissal on June 9, approving the Commonwealth’s motion to drop the charges with prejudice after Macaranas entered into a civil settlement with the Office of the Attorney General.
In his signed order, Judge Govendo wrote that the Commonwealth’s request was granted “for good cause appearing,” formally closing the case against Macaranas.
Assistant Attorney General Olga Kelley filed the motion on June 8, informing the court that Macaranas had accepted the Commonwealth’s offer to resolve the matter through a civil compromise. Macaranas had been charged with misappropriation of public funds and misconduct in public office.
Settlement terms
According to the five-page settlement agreement, Macaranas will pay $7,500 in 36 monthly installments of $208.33. In return, the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss the criminal case with prejudice and not pursue further criminal, civil, or administrative action related to the conduct alleged, except to enforce payment in the event of default.
The agreement also states that Macaranas denies committing the crimes charged and that the settlement “shall not be deemed or construed…to be an admission of liability.”
Macaranas is represented by attorney Robert T. Torres.
Background of the case
The Office of the Attorney General last year charged four individuals connected to the Saipan Mayor’s Office — Henry Sablan Hofschneider, Flores, Teresita Borja Camacho, and Macaranas — with misappropriating nearly $98,400 from the Mayor’s Office account for personal use.
According to court filings, Hofschneider and Flores, both former senior aides to Gov. David Apatang and former Saipan Mayor’s Office employees, were accused of appropriating $98,379.65 between May 19 and June 28, 2023, without authorization.
Camacho, the former budget officer, was charged with two counts of misconduct in public office for allegedly appropriating $38,279.53 for personal use and failing to notify the mayor or human resources.
Flores also faces one count of possession or removal of government property for allegedly removing personnel files of former mayor’s office employees.
Macaranas, a payroll manager at the Department of Finance, was accused of processing unauthorized payments totaling $98,379.65.
Misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
With prejudice
Last February, the court dismissed charges against Hofschneider with prejudice after he agreed to repay $15,000 to the mayor’s office under a separate civil settlement.
Although the charges tied to mayor’s office annual leave payments have been dismissed, Larissa Sablan Flores will still seek a jury trial on separate misconduct in public office charges.
Judge Govendo previously scheduled the jury trial for Aug. 24 at 9 a.m., and Flores’ attorney, Colin Thompson, confirmed the defense intends to proceed.
As of Wednesday, no additional court filings or orders d been issued regarding Flores or Camacho.
