Navarrete, 31, was charged by the Attorney General’s Office with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, and theft by unlawful taking.
She was discharged after the third day of the bench trial yesterday morning.
On Dec. 24, 2009, the AGO said Navarrete, being in custody of $1,714 cash, failed to deposit the full amount into the bank account of the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., and retained $700 “to [her] own benefit or benefit of another.”
The AGO charged Navarrete in her capacity as NMHC employee.
When sought for comment, Assistant Public Defender Michael Curtis Brown, who represented Navarrete, said: “We’re pleased with the verdict. Ms. Navarrete was forthcoming from the beginning. She was the first person to inform her supervisor about the money. She’s cooperative with the housing office, the bank regarding investigation of this case. She is a credible witness, and a trusted employee.”
When asked about the status of the missing $700, Brown said, “I don’t know.”
In an e-mail, Assistant Attorney General Russel Lorfing, who prosecuted the case, said: “The government is obviously disappointed with the outcome of the trial but respects the decision of the court.”
According to Lorfing, “White collar theft is often complex and difficult to prove. While the commonwealth believes we prosecuted the correct person for this crime, the court rightfully wanted to see more evidence. The acquittal is simply a reflection of my inability as a prosecutor to provide all necessary evidence to prove guilt beyond all doubt.”
Lorfing also said the opposing counsel “did an excellent job throughout the trial and as result, his client escaped penalty.”
“The Office of the Attorney General is committed to prosecuting white collar theft within the government and will maintain an aggressive trial strategy despite this acquittal,” Lorfing said.
Asked about the missing $700, he said: “The investigation is now closed.”
