By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
ASSISTANT Attorney General Olga Kelley has asked the Superior Court to disqualify Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho from presiding over the misconduct case against Lt. Gov. Dennis James C. Mendiola and two co-defendants, arguing that the judge’s actions created an appearance of bias.
In a motion filed Nov. 21, Kelley said Judge Camacho suggested defense strategies during an October hearing, including a possible venue change to Rota and severance of defendants. The prosecution contends those remarks crossed into advising the defense and could reasonably lead the public to question the judge’s impartiality.
“Here, not only did Associate Judge Camacho inquire about counsel’s intentions to change the venue from Saipan to Rota, but he also outlined the procedure for doing so, thus suggesting a specific legal motion, stepping outside the judge’s neutral role and effectively advising the defense. This could reasonably lead someone to believe that the judge is not impartial,” Kelley stated in the motion.
Kelley also noted that Mendiola, the CNMI’s lieutenant governor, is from Rota. “He is more likely to receive a favorable verdict from local Rota jurors if the case is moved there. Associate Judge Camacho’s suggestiveness regarding a venue change and the defendants’ severance could reasonably be viewed as an indication of the judge’s interest in securing a favorable verdict for Mr. Mendiola and could therefore reasonably lead someone to believe that the judge is not impartial,” she argued.
The charges stem from Mendiola’s tenure as a Homeland Security and Emergency Management special assistant in 2022, when he allegedly misused government vessels and resources. Prosecutors said he authorized the transport of private and rental vehicles on chartered supply ships and, along with co-defendants Justin Paul Mizutani and Joey Vincent Dela Cruz, left the government with more than $61,000 in unpaid rental fees.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Judge Camacho has scheduled a hearing on the motion to disqualify for Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.
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.
