First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey J. Strand yesterday said the warrant of arrest against Villagomez was prepared as early as July 22.
Strand said Villagomez, 45, and his co-accused are facing a maximum jail term of 10 years if convicted.
The lt. governor’s co-defendants are Commerce Secretary James Santos, his wife Joaquina V. Santos, and former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Anthony Guerrero.
Mrs. Santos is the lt. governor’s sister.
Guerrero has entered into a plea bargain agreement and can expect a lighter sentence in exchange for his cooperation.
Federal authorities expect to unearth more irregularities at CUC which may lead to more indictments.
Strand said Villagomez, who posted $50,000 in unsecured cash bail, is free to roam around and even report for work if he wants to.
A former CUC executive director, Villagomez denied last week on KSPN that he was questioned or subpoenaed by federal authorities.
He did not make any statement yesterday.
His legal counsel, Teresa Kim, said questions about the lt. governor’s case should be referred to one of his three attorneys — David Lujan, Guam’s most famous lawyer.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said government lawyers cannot represent Villagomez in his federal case because it involves him personally and not in his official capacity.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said he is deeply troubled by Villagomez’ situation but will let justice take its course.
“I have high confidence in our system of justice, with due process and all of the procedural and constitutional safeguards afforded to every person charged under the law,” he said in a statement.
“As governor of the CNMI, and as a U.S. citizen, I cannot judge a person’s guilt or innocence. That is for a court of law to decide. I defer to the court and I will be content to follow this trial closely in the pursuit of justice. I trust that justice will ultimately be served pursuant to law,” he added.
House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan, was in federal court yesterday to, he said, “show my support, especially for the mom.”
Camacho’s brother, former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Clyde K. Norita, said: “I will let the justice system take its course. I feel sorry for my friend.”
Villagomez’s relatives who asked not to be identified said he’s “innocent.”
Francisco Guerrero, the former chairman of the CUC board, said he was at Horiguchi to see what was happening.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an eight-month long investigation before the indictment was filed in court.
‘Unfortunate’
TAOTAO Tano president Gregorio Cruz Jr. yesterday said the indictment should be an “eye opener” for any government official.
“This is an unfortunate situation for the lt. governor and all those involved but we want to send a clear message out to the community that Taotao Tano will continue its efforts into researching and investigating all government agencies and hold all those responsible in public office who have committed illegal activities responsible and accountable for their actions, for the suffering of the community must end,” Cruz said.
He added that Villagomez and the other defendants are still innocent until proven guilty.
Cruz said Taotao Tano has been investigating the sole-sourced contract between CUC and the Commonwealth Industrial Supply Co., which Villagomez signed.
“Upon investigating and reviewing all the documents pertaining to CISCO we noticed huge discrepancies on how it was procured by CUC and the lt. governor,” he said.
The most important and critical issue that caught the attention of Taotao Tano, he added, is that the contract was for the rehabilitation and repair of the 15-megawatt Power Plant 2, which is near Power Plant 1 in Lower Base.
CISCO was supposed to deliver 10-12 megawatts of power generation but Power Plant 2 remains completely down, Cruz added.
