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Grapevine is abuzz over alleged arrest
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Posted on Jul 27 2008
Saipan is buzzing with unconfirmed rumors that federal agents either arrested or questioned Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez while he was attending a conference in New York and that he has since seen an indictment on charges related to the misappropriation of federal funds during his tenure as director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Neither Villagomez, nor his staff, nor federal officials could be reached for comment on the rumors Sunday. Phone calls made to Villagomez’s house were not answered. The local police could not confirm the report.
Some local bloggers, however, posted articles—with at least one citing a “reliable source”—saying the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Villagomez. Meanwhile, the Saipan Tribune has received scores of e-mails and phone calls, including two from off-island, often from sources declining to be identified, reporting that the arrest or questioning occurred.
On a related note, rumors were also rife about six persons, including some government officials and employees, about to be indicted in federal court, also on issues related to CUC procurement.
The rumors come after the FBI last week subpoenaed a host of CUC officials to testify as part of a federal probe. The FBI is currently examining a 2006 contract CUC inked with Commonwealth Industrial Supply Company Inc. (CISCO), paying it to fix six engines at a local power plant. CUC paid CISCO $885,000 in federal funds for the project after failing to solicit other bids and the company never completed the work.
Villagomez was in Buffalo, New York, last week attending the annual conference of National Lieutenant Governors Association. Despite several reports of his arrest and indictment, other sources said he has already returned to Saipan and was seen at St. Jude’s Church during Sunday Mass in Koblerville.
