Manuel T. Vilaga, in a telephone interview, told the Variety that he is “depressed” by this unfair practice, adding that the government should enforce its own laws.
Vilaga noted that customs inspector facing charges in an insurance fraud case is still working for the CNMI Division of Customs Service.
“I was suspended from work even before I was jailed for four days and charged criminally after more than one week, but now here comes an inspector who is still on duty despite her ongoing case in court,” Vilaga said.
“I’m referring to Lili Cepeda, the wife of a local law enforcer who is still working there,” he said.
Vilaga said this “unfair practice” has done him irreparable damage and has destroyed his reputation, even though the case against him was dismissed.
“I remain jobless because my name and my case was plastered all over the Internet search engines. I am suffering while she (Cepeda) continues working,” Vilaga said.
Vilaga said he sent a letter to the CNMI Superior Court and Law Revision Commission on June 9, 2008, seeking assistance and asking to be treated equally and fairly.
He said no action has been taken on his appeal and claims for back wages and damages.
“I sent the letter to ask the court to help clear my name because the bad publicity is affecting me, my friends, my family and associates. It is affecting my job search on Saipan and on Guam,” he said.
Vilaga said his termination was retaliation for the discrimination complaint he filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Vilaga was charged with bribery, theft by deception and extortion in Nov. 2004.
In Jan. 2005, Vilaga said he and Finance entered into an agreement which stated that he would be reinstated with benefits and pay retroactive to the date of suspension if the charges against him were dismissed or if he would be acquitted.
Vilaga said he and Atalig signed the agreement which was approved by then-Attorney General Pamela S. Brown.
The charges against Vilaga were dismissed on Aug. 2, 2005, but Finance terminated his employment on Oct. 17, 2005.
Vilaga was arrested during an entrapment operation while engaged in the field collection of excise tax on August 2004.
When the case was dismissed and he was terminated by the Department of Finance, Vilaga appealed the decision to the Civil Service Commission on Oct. 26, 2005.
Division of Customs acting Director John Cepeda, in a telephone interview told the Variety that he does not have any information about Lili Cepeda’s case.
“All I know is that she is still reporting for duty regularly,” John Cepeda said.
