Munson heard the testimony of attorney Bruce Jorgensen who represented retirees known only as “Jane Roe” and “John Doe”; Assistant Attorney General Elchinon Golob; attorney James Hollman who is representing the Retirement Fund; attorneys Viola Alepuyo and Deborah Fisher, who represent the trustees.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Jorgensen told the court.
He said the plaintiffs are neither willing nor content to rely upon a CNMI governmental handshake, a few written promises, and reputed “negotiations” conducted behind closed doors by and between political appointees and those who appoint them.
He said the lead negotiator, Fund Chairman Sixto Igisomar, is himself a political appointee.
Igisomar, Jorgensen added, “while reputing to represent the Fund beneficiaries’ best interests, and with a $231 million judgment in hand, publicly opined that ‘10 to 20 years [will be required] before [the Fund] can regain its financial health.’ ”
The local trial court last year ruled that the CNMI government owed the Fund $231 million as of April 2009.
The AG’s office has moved for the dismissal of the class suit filed in federal court because the plaintiffs “fail[ed] to establish actual or imminent injury, and thus lack standing to maintain this action.”
The AG’s office said “dismissal is warranted because plaintiffs improperly use[d] fictitious names in this matter.”
Jorgensen is moving for the appointment of an emergency receiver pending appointment of permanent receiver; a temporary restraining order with or without notice; an order certifying the lawsuit, appointing class counsel, and defining the class and the class claims and issues; the issuance of a judgment creditors bill to reach CNMI property; and permitting the plaintiffs discovery and/or providing or additional remedies.
