SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho issued two preliminary injunctions restraining the Office of the Attorney General from enforcing subpoenas that were served on Rota businesswoman Abelina Mendiola to obtain her confidential banking information.
Mendiola, the principal of DFS Enterprises, has filed two civil complaints against the OAG for the subpoenas issued against her.
Represented by attorney Keith Chambers, Mendiola also sought temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions against the OAG.
On Feb. 9, Judge Camacho granted her motion for a TRO in Civil Action No. 24-0034.
The second motion for a TRO that the judge granted on Feb. 13 was for Civil Action No. 24-0033.
On Feb. 27, the judge granted the preliminary injunctions requested by Mendiola in her two civil complaints.
Assistant Attorney General James Robert Kingman did not object to the injunctions.
Regarding Civil Action No. 24-0033, Judge Camacho said it was revealed at the hearing that the OAG had already acquired the information that was the subject of the two relevant subpoenas.
Chambers, for his part, asked the court to allow him to amend his client’s complaint against the OAG.
Judge Camacho granted the request.
As for Civil Action No. 24-0034, the judge scheduled an evidentiary hearing for April 16, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 220A.
According to Chambers, “The subpoenas are not relevant or admissible because there is currently no criminal case to which they can be relevant or admissible.”
The subpoenas also do not articulate what specific crime or crimes allegedly took place, Chambers added.
The OAG is using the subpoenas to go on a “fishing” expedition, he said.
Mendiola is one of the officials of Luta Mermaid LLC, the owner of the controversial MV Luta, which owes the CNMI government $400,000.
