SUPERIOR Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja on Monday issued an order recusing himself from handling the Office of Attorney General’s refiled contempt case against former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
Judge Naraja said he must recuse himself for the reasons provided in Commonwealth Code that pertains to disqualification of judges: A justice or judge shall disqualify himself or herself in any proceeding in which his or her impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
Associate Judges Joseph N. Camacho, Wesley Bogdan, Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Kenneth Govendo and Joseph N. Camacho have also recused themselves.
The original case against Torres was filed by the Office of the Attorney General on April 8, 2022. It alleged 12 counts of misconduct in public office and one count of theft relating to the issuance of airline tickets for business class, first class, or other premium class travel for himself and/or Diann T. Torres, his wife.
The case, which remains pending, also alleged one count of contempt for failure to appear in compliance with a legislative subpoena.
The former governor has denied the charges.
On Aug. 23, 2022, Judge Pro Tem Alberto Tolentino dismissed without prejudice the contempt charge against Torres. Without prejudice means that the charge can be refiled.
On Oct. 26, 2023, Special Prosecutor James Kingman refiled the charges of contempt and misconduct in public office against Torres, who was summoned to appear before a judge on Dec. 18, 2023.
Robert Naraja
