Govendo originally sentenced Dong Hyen Kim, 59, with five years imprisonment, but all suspended except six months.
Kim was required to pay a $500 fine, a $100 court assessment fee, and a $500 probation fee.
Kim will write a letter of apology to the citizens of the commonwealth, the court ordered.
Kim will be placed on five years probation after his release from prison.
The prosecution has charged Kim and former BMV examiner Derek Robert Duenas, 31, with one count of conspiracy and four counts of bribery.
Assistant Attorneys General Shelli Neal and Peter Prestley prosecuted the case, while Kim, an illegal alien since 2002, was represented by court-appointed attorney Collin Thompson.
“The court feels that something needs to be done to ensure the protection of the community and to adequately deter persons from engaging in bribery. The message must go out within the community that men and women will face punishment if they engage in bribery. The loose morals that allow this society to turn a blind eye on this practice must be challenged and changed,” Govendo said in his written sentencing order.
Last month, Presiding Judge Robert Naraja sentenced Duenas to a year in prison, all suspended except for 12 days, for misconduct in public office.
On or between Nov. 2008 and May 2009, for undetermined number of occasions, the prosecution said Kim gave bribes to Duenas, such as “cash, food, betelnut, cigarettes, and other items of value to Duenas in exchange for Duenas’ agreement to ensure that certain individuals pass the written and/or driving exams necessary to obtain a CNMI driver’s license.”
Kim asked each first time applicant for a driver’s license a $350 fee and handed Duenas $30 to $100 in return for passing the written and driving tests of those who paid, court records showed.
Investigators further learned that Duenas dealt with other clients not associated with Kim, and received from each applicant $40 to $150 two to four times on a weekly basis.
