“It looks like it’s politically motivated,” Norita said in an interview yesterday.
Norita and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez, who were among the leaders of the ruling Covenant Party, have joined the Republican Party recently much to the dismay of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
Fitial founded the Covenant Party in 2001.
Villagomez has also announced that he can no longer be Fitial’s running mate in next year’s election.
Norita said he is still talking with his lawyers about the possible filing of a lawsuit against the governor.
“I’m still talking to my lawyers. The first step is for me to decide [if I will push through with the case]. I’ve been quite busy these past weeks,” he said.
Norita started as a police officer and rose from the ranks.
He was elected as a House member in the 14th Legislature upon his retirement from DPS.
He narrowly lost the 2005 senatorial election on Saipan, but Fitial named him the executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
But disagreements between Norita and the CPA board later resulted in his resignation.
Last March, upon the governor’s request, Norita replaced Rebecca Warfield as DPS chief.
DPS personnel said they were happy with Norita’s leadership.
But Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the governor’s political appointees serve at the chief executive’s pleasure.
