The judge, however, also ordered former special assistant to the secretary of the CNMI Department of Public Lands Franz Reksid, to return his passport to the clerk of court upon his return to Saipan.
U.S. Assistant Attorney Eric O’Malley, the prosecutor, and Reksid’s court-appointed counsel, Mark Hanson, filed a stipulation to release passport on the defendant’s behalf.
Reksid’s trial is scheduled for July 1 and visiting Judge A. Wallace Tashima will hear the case.
Reksid is accused of borrowing up to $300,000 from his friends, associates and relatives under false pretenses that he needed the money to “free” his huge account in New York, which did not exist.
He is also accused of getting a $3,000 bribe for a contract for a federally funded program.
The money he borrowed, including the bribe, was wired to Africa as part of a quick-rich scheme, the prosecution said.
Reksid has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
