“He seems upbeat and optimistic. He said he’s fighting it,” said Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr., referring to Villagomez who has avoided public appearances since he was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern Marianas on Aug. 11 on charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., wire fraud and theft concerning federal funds.
Named as his co-defendants were his sister, her husband, former Commerce Secretary James Santos, and former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Anthony Guerrero.
Guerrero, who told the court he was coerced to approve a contract to purchase unnecessary chemicals from Villagomez’s sister, is expected to testify against the lt. governor.
The jury trial of Villagomez is scheduled for Oct. 6. His lead counsel is Guam’s most famous attorney, David Lujan.
Two local attorneys — Brien Sers Nicholas and Joey San Nicolas — appeared with Villagomez when the grand jury indicted him.
Reyes said Villagomez could have as many as five attorneys on his defense team.
Prosecutors said Villagomez and his codefendants misused federal funds amounting to over $500,000.
According to the indictment, Villagomez approved purchases of a chemical known as “Rydlyme” from Santos’ distribution company, Islas Micronesia Sales, from 1998 to 2000.
In Aug. 2007, the indictment added, Villagomez approved the purchase of Rydlyme from the Santos couple’s distribution firm although he knew that the product was not really needed by the financially troubled CUC.
