Previous Story
Arriola pleads not guilty
|
Posted on Mar 21 2000
Embattled lawyer Joseph Aldan Arriola pled not guilty yesterday to charges of five counts of sexual abuse during his arraignment before the Superior Court.
Jury trial on the case has been set in November 2000 by Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan.
Mr. Arriola was accused by the Attorney General’s Office of engaging in sex with a minor identified only as J.C.M. between January 4, 1998 and July 26, 1998. During the time the alleged sexual contact occurred, the victim was only 15 years old.
A separate case was also brought by the AGO against Mr. Arriola and his family charging them with one count of conspiracy and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Assistant Attorney General James Benedetto said Mr. Arriola, father Antonio, stepmother Mary, and sisters Antoinette and Darcy tried to persuade J.C.M. into withdrawing the sexual abuse case filed against the controversial lawyer.
The family even attempted to bribe the victim in exchange for her signature in a prepared statement which would put in question the government’s case, Mr. Benedetto said.
Mr. Arriola has denied the sexual abuse charges. He has accused the AGO of bringing the case against him in retaliation for taking the former acting Attorney General Maya Kara to the court questioning the legality of her tenure to the post. Ms. Kara has since then left her post after the Superior Court ruled that her continued stay in office was a violation of the CNMI Constitution.
However, Mr. Benedetto had denied that the charges were related to the case lodged by Mr. Arriola against Ms. Kara and other government officials in connection with the raid conducted on the business establishment of his client. Mr. Benedetto added that the decision to pursue the case was based on solid evidence. (LFR)
