By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
FORMER Superior Court Judge Juan Tudela Lizama has filed an amended complaint in local court against Saipan Laulau Development Inc. or SLDI, operator of LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, seeking damages for injuries sustained in a golf cart collision.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on Nov. 4, 2023, on the resort’s West Course. Lizama was driving a golf cart with a passenger when another cart, allegedly operated at high speed by an SLDI employee, triggered a chain-reaction collision involving a third cart driven by a minor. Lizama claims the impact caused hairline fractures, respiratory complications, and other injuries.
The lawsuit accuses SLDI of negligence, citing a failure to properly train and supervise its employees and guests. It also alleges the company did not provide adequate safety instructions to the minor operating one of the carts.
Lizama, represented by attorney Michael Dotts, is seeking a jury trial and compensation for general, special, economic, and non-economic damages, including medical expenses and emotional distress.
On Oct. 16, 2025, the clerk of court issued a summons directing the resort to file an answer to the complaint within 21 days.
Variety was unable to get a comment from SLDI.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
