“This disgusting display of disrespect is just as serious as if the garbage had been strewn over the graves of military heroes,” Senior Judge John C. Coughenour said on Friday before he convicted former Workforce Investment Agency chief Felix R. Nogis of littering.
“I recognize that [Nogis], obviously, did not leave all of this garbage behind himself,” the judge said. “If it were possible, I would sentence every person who littered this sacred property, but the only defendant before me is Mr. Nogis, and he is responsible by virtue of the fact that he is the person who organized this event, by his own words,” Coughenour said.
“Let me emphasize that American Memorial Park is not just another baseball field. This park is a memorial to the brave men who died to bring freedom to this island. Because of their sacrifice, the people of this island are United States citizens,” Coughenour added.
He ordered Nogis to pay a $100 fine and a $25 court assessment fee.
The prosecution wanted Nogis to pay a $4,700 fine and perform 90 hours of community work service.
During the bench trial, the prosecution presented several photos that showed green “Ben & Eloy” picnic tables and the trash left behind in the area.
The photos included those from the Facebook account “Camacho for Congress.”
Nogis chairs the Committee to Elect Joseph N. Camacho, the ruling party’s candidate for congressional delegate.
Camacho, a former House member, was Nogis’ defense counsel during the trial.
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