THE NMI Settlement Fund and the Estate of Manuel B. Villagomez have asked the federal court to delay making a decision on the NMISF’s motion for an order of stay and intervening in the probate proceedings of the decedent because the parties have initiated discussions of settlement.
Designated Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood of the District Court for the NMI on Monday granted the stipulation of the parties and agreed to stay the decision on the NMISF’s ex parte emergency motion for declaratory relief, stay, and injunctive relief.
“For good cause shown, the court will stay the issuance of its decision on the emergency motion until March 8, 2022,” Judge Tydingco-Gatewood stated in her order.
She also ordered the parties to notify the court of the status of the possible settlement by that date.
According to the stipulation filed by the NMISF and the Estate of Manuel B. Villagomez, the parties initiated settlement discussions on Feb. 5, 2022, and require additional time to negotiate a settlement.
The parties are also submitting a separate stipulation to stay proceedings and vacate the briefing deadlines and hearing in the NMI Superior Court case involving the Estate of Manuel B. Villagomez, Civil Case No. 21-0234-CV, pending settlement discussions.
The parties requested that the federal court delay a decision on the motion for 30 days, and the parties will notify the federal court of the status of settlement on or before March 8, 2022, the stipulation stated.
The stipulation was signed by attorney Nicole Torres-Ripple who represents the NMISF, and attorney Robert Torres who represents Colleen V. Manglona, the administrator of the Estate of Manuel B. Villagomez.
According to the NMISF’s emergency motion, it has a claim against the estate based on an overpayment of retirement benefits amounting to over $56,000 paid prior to Villagomez’ passing on May 10, 2021.
