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Ex-mayor’s aide charged for attempt to influence a juror • Sen. Manglona facing corruption charges
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Posted on Sep 01 1999
An aide of former Tinian Mayor Herman Manglona has been charged at the federal court for allegedly trying to influence and intimidate a grand juror into voting against the indictment of the former municipal chief who is facing corruption charges.
Charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office was James King Manglona, also known as Jose Hofschneider.
According to FBI investigation, Hofschneider approached the grand juror last Aug. 25 and offered to “reward” her if she would vote “no” to the indictment of Manglona, who is now a senator representing Tinian.
The case against Hofschneider is connected to that of businessman Tito Sablan, who pled guilty last week to charges of bribery.
Sablan admitted to bribing Manglona on several occasions in 1996 to win favors from the Tinian Mayor’s Office, particularly the award of contracts for municipal projects.
Sablan, according to court documents, paid a total of $14,500 between January and December 1996.
The US Attorney’s Office charged that Sablan was awarded contracts for federally funded projects.
The CNMI, according to court documents, received an excess of $10,000 in federal funds during the period covered.
Sablan, who is facing a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 30.
According to FBI investigation, Hofschneider offered to pay the grand juror for the information she would give him about what transpired at the grand jury proceedings.
The grand juror, whose name was not identified in the court document, told investigators she was “afraid” of Hofschneider “because of his association” with Manglona.
Hofschneider was charged based on his taped conversation with the juror, which was translated from Chamorro to English by a US Marshall agent. (MCM)
