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Sanctions vs. Wiseman recalled
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Posted on Mar 12 2001
The order to show cause against David A. Wiseman handed down by Judge Juan T. Lizama a day after his Senate confirmation as associate judge of the Superior Court was withdrawn Friday.
On March 9, Judge Lizama issued sanctions against Mr. Wiseman and Assistant Attorney General Elaine Paplos for their failure to appear on a traffic case hearing.
The new associate judge, who represented the defendant in the case, said he missed the hearing because he had to fly to Rota to be confirmed by the Senate as associate judge of the Superior Court.
“It was an oversight on my part and the part of my staff,” Mr. Wiseman admitted. He said his law office was supposed to inform Judge Lizama Wednesday morning of his unavailability to attend the hearing but was not able to due to unexplained circumstances.
On March 9, Mr. Wiseman met with Judge Lizama and explained why he was not able to attend the hearing. After listening to Mr. Wiseman’s alibi, Judge Lizama withdrew the sanction.
The new associate judge of the Superior Court also revealed that the case had already been settled, after he and the Attorney General’s Office came to an agreement.
Mr. Wiseman was confirmed as the new associate judge of the CNMI Superior Court Thursday last week by a Senate vote of eight to one. His confirmation ended months of debate over his nomination by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.
During those months, the new associate judge was accused by Rep. Stanley Torres of a myriad of offenses ranging from involvement in prostitution, bribery, land scams and illegal drug use.
Mr. Wiseman replaced former judge John A. Manglona, who was confirmed as Supreme Court associate justice in June 2000.
