Reyes hopes court will be lenient on Villagomez

Senate President Pete Reyes said he hopes the court will be lenient when former Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez is sentenced for several federal charges in July.

Reyes, who noted he never attended the trial, said his heart goes out to Villagomez and his family.

“I know how painful that is,” he said. “I was hoping the court, and I’m still hoping because the sentence has not been handed down, I’m hoping when the sentencing time comes around the court will recognize the fact he has children and be lenient.”

However, Villagomez’s children are not the only reason why Reyes thinks the former lieutenant governor should get leniency, he said.

“I think he’s very remorseful,” the Senate president said. “Like anyone else under the same circumstances, they have enough suffering. The disgrace of being the highest-ranking CNMI [official] that is convicted is torture enough, I think. But I also believe, like the governor, in the system of the courts. And it’s going to be fair.”

Last Friday, a federal jury found Villagomez, his brother-in-law James A. Santos, and his sister Joaquina V. Santos guilty of all charges relating to a scheme to defraud the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Villagomez resigned from the Office of Lieutenant Governor over the weekend.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson set the sentencing for July 28, 2009. After the sentencing, the defendants will have 10 days to file a notice of appeal.

The jurors found Villagomez and James Santos guilty of conspiracy to defraud and to commit offenses against the U.S., wire fraud, theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, and bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds.

Joaquina Santos was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud and to commit offenses against the U.S., wire fraud, aiding and abetting to commit theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, and bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds.

The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison, while the other counts range from five to 10 years.

Munson allowed the defendants to remain free pending their sentencing.

Reyes said Villagomez’s conviction would change the CNMI forever.

“It’s going to put on notice a lot of elected officials, not just the governor or lieutenant governor, any elected official on notice, that it is no longer business as usual,” he said. “They have a responsibility to the public and their constituents, and they have to take that responsibility seriously.”

At a press conference on Friday, U.S. Attorney Leonardo Rapadas said the guilty verdict is a very important case not only for the U.S. Attorney District, but for the United States as well.

“Government corruption has always been high on the priority list for the Department of Justice. And it is sad to see that in small areas like CNMI we have government corruption that has reached into the highest levels,” he said.