Sablan sponsored House Resolution 16-74 calling for the creation of a special investigative committee that will look into the allegations against Villagomez and recommend whether he should be impeached.
During the Feb. 3 House session, Sablan asked the speaker if a roll call vote could be taken, but he declined.
The resolution was disposed of by voice vote and Sablan was the only member to vote yes on the resolution.
All members were present, except for Rep. Ed T. Salas, R-Saipan, who was off-island on medical leave, and Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, R-Saipan.
Section 8 of Article II of the CNMI Constitution empowers the House to conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence of a cause for impeachment.
CNMI lawmakers defended their action saying Sablan’s request may interfere in the ongoing judicial process especially if highly sensitive new information is disclosed during the investigation process.
Lawmakers in the state of Illinois voted on Jan. 8 to impeach then Gov. Rod Blagojevich even though he had just been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery and his trial had yet to start.
Prosecutors said Blagojevich attempted to sell President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Villagomez is charged with conspiracy to defraud the federal government, wire fraud, theft concerning federal funds and bribery.
His co-defendants are his older sister Joaquina, and her husband, former Commerce Secretary James Santos.
According to prosecutors, the three cheated the federal government by purchasing overpriced chemicals that the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. did not need.
Their jury trial is scheduled to start on March 30.
Former CUC Executive Director Anthony Guerrero, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, has agreed to become a state witness and will be sentenced soon.
Sablan said residents have told her “how disappointed they were with the members of the House. It gives an impression that the House doesn’t care about the issue.”
She said the House inaction is sort of a “cover-up” for an elected official who is also a former member of the House.
“All personal considerations should be set aside,” she added.
