Timothy R. Lord will be Bruce Jorgensen’s co-counsel.
“Having considered Timothy R. Lord’s application for admission pro hac vice, applicant is hereby admitted to practice in the commonwealth pro hac vice for the sole purpose of representing plaintiffs in federal court case number CV-09-00023,” Munson’s two-page order stated.
“Pro hac vice” is Latin for “for this occasion” or “for this event” and refers to a lawyer who has not been admitted to practice in a certain jurisdiction but was allowed to participate in a particular case in that jurisdiction.
Munson said Lord’s pro hac vice admission expires upon the resolution of their case.
Last week, Jorgensen filed a first amended complaint and named as defendants Gov. Benigno R. Fitial in his official capacity; Retirement Fund acting Chairman Pedro Q. Dela Cruz in his official capacity; and trustees Sixto K. Igisomar and Adelina C. Roberto, in their official capacities.
Also named as defendants were acting Finance Secretary Robert Schrack; the Retirement Fund board of trustees; the CNMI Department of Finance; “CNMI Does 1-95” in their official and personal capacities; Eric Holder in his official capacity as attorney general of the United States; the United States of America; U.S. Does 1-99 in their official and personal capacities.
Jorgensen said his clients are asking for the appointment of a federal equity receiver to take over the administration and operations of the Fund, including but not limited to current activities such as “negotiations,” asset collection and debt-review.
Jorgensen said they are also seeking a “certification order” permitting his clients to proceed with their case by way of a class action.
The Retirement Fund won its damage lawsuit filed in Superior Court against the CNMI government by default.
Last June, the local court ruled that the Fund was owed over $231 million in unpaid contributions as of April this year.
On Tuesday, the Fund, the administration and the Legislature began their negotiations for the payment terms.
