The jury selection started at 1:30 p.m. yesterday, but the final panel of 12 jurors and two alternates had not yet been selected as of 5 p.m.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson earlier summoned 227 prospective jurors.
After the jury panel is chosen, the trial will begin, and the prosecution and defense lawyers will start their opening arguments.
Villagomez and the Santos couple entered a not guilty plea to charges of bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, conspiracy to defraud and to commit offenses against the U.S., wire fraud, and theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.
The indictment stated that Villagomez accepted a $15,000 bribe from the Santos couple for approving the purchase of Rydlyme, a cleaning and de-scaling chemical for the use of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
The Santos couple was also charged with bribery for offering $15,000 to Villagomez.
Villagomez and the Santos couple are temporarily out on a $50,000 bail each.
Conspiracy charges carry a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Wire fraud carries a sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 while theft concerning federal funds carries a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
