SUPERIOR Court Judge Pro Tem Alberto Tolentino on Thursday morning ordered independent Sen. Paul A. Manglona and Saipan residents Carmen Patricia Deleon Guerrero and Bruce Lee Jorgensen to submit their first amended complaint against the Senate leadership over the governor’s impeachment trial which concluded over two weeks ago.
The judge also ordered the defendants to file their responsive pleading by June 17, 2022.
The court likewise ordered the parties to stipulate discovery deadlines that are in accordance with the plaintiffs’ request for an accelerated hearing under the Open Government Act.
The court scheduled a status conference for June 24 at 3 p.m. and ordered all parties to appear as the court may set the matter for trial.
The plaintiffs, who represent themselves, filed an Open Government Act lawsuit on May 11, 2022. They sought to invalidate the Senate impeachment rules and stop the Senate impeachment trial of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
But the Superior Court neither granted nor denied the petition for a temporary restraining order requested by the plaintiffs.
The Republican governor was impeached by the Democrat-Independent-led House of Representatives on Jan. 12, 2022.
The governor was accused of corruption, neglect of duty and felonies of theft as well as contempt. He had denied the allegations.
The Republican-led Senate acquitted him of all charges on May 18, 2022.
The lawsuit filed by Manglona, Deleon Guerrero and Jorgensen named as defendants in their official capacities Senate President Jude Hofschneider, Senate Vice President Justo Quitugua, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie Sablan, Sens. Karl King-Nabors, Victor Hocog and Francisco Cruz.
At the hearing on Thursday, the defendants were represented by attorney Colin Thompson.
