During the cross examination by Villagomez’s counsel David Lujan, CUC procurement specialist Joseph Fejeran admitted he had no personal knowledge if Villagomez, former Commerce Secretary James Santos, his wife Joaquina Santos or former CUC Executive Director Anthony C. Guerrero were into any agreement to commit crimes to defraud the federal government, wire fraud and theft concerning federal funds.
The witness also admitted that he was interviewed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and personnel from the Office of the Public Auditor once last year and in Feb. 2009.
The witness, whose name appeared on the list of prospective jurors for the trial, said he was invited to the U.S. Attorney’s Office four times this year, including in February when he was asked what his opinions were of each prospective juror.
Defense counsel Victorino Torres took over the cross-examination after Lujan, focusing on the 2007 transactions in the procurement of Rhydlyme.
Torres asked the witness if he made solicitations from four vendors of Rhydlyme, to which the witness answered in the affirmative.
Torres said soliciting quotes from four vendors was more than what the CUC procurement regulations normally require.
The jury trial for Villagomez and the Santos couple started on March 30 after the federal court selected a panel of jurors.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson presides while Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley is the prosecutor.
