The judge issued the bench warrant after Norita failed to appear for a status conference hearing on Thursday morning even though a subpoena was issued to him.
The judge said Norita continues to frustrate the court’s efforts to distribute the share of the Antonio R. Flores estate to its sole heir, Jacinto Taman Flores.
The judge noted that Norita had called the clerk of court’s office to find out how he could avoid appearing at the hearing.
“Norita sent to the clerk’s office on Nov. 18 an illness certification slip from a clinic to excuse him from appearing for medical reasons,” the judge said, adding that he did not believe Norita.
The judge ordered CNMI Marshals to go to Norita’s residence and retrieve from him the estate’s bank book.
Should Norita refuse, the Marshals were instructed to take him into custody and bring him to court so he could explain why he should not be held in contempt of court, the judge said.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Marshals picked up Norita from his Chalan Kanoa residence and brought him before Judge Camacho.
Norita told the judge that there was a burglary at his home Friday last week and among the items stolen was a bag where he placed the bank book.
He said he went to the bank to get a new passbook.
Judge Camacho said Norita is no longer a signatory for the disbursement of the estate funds.
The judge then authorized attorney Vince Torres to go directly to the bank and request for a check to be issued in the name of Jacinto Taman Flores.
Torres is one of the attorneys who represent the estate of Antonio R. Flores and will withdraw from representing the estate upon successful compliance with the court order.
In 2018, the Superior Court granted the request of Nicanor Norita, as administrator of the estate of Visitacion Rangamar Flores, to distribute approximately $5,034,038 equally to four heirs one of whom was the late Antonio R. Flores.
