Rydlyme-gate: A history so far

[I]Editor’s Note: The following is a timeline of the alleged business transactions, according to the indictment papers.[/I] [B]1998- 2000 [/B] James Santos and Timothy Villagomez, then CUC’s executive director, ink a deal for the utility service to purchase thousands of gallons of Rydlyme. The deal gains Santos’ ISLA Sales more than $280,000, violates conflict of interest laws and circumvents procurement regulations, according to federal authorities. Most of the Rydlyme purchased is never used.

[B]August 2007[/B] Villagomez, now the lieutenant governor, and Santos enlist the help of Anthony Guerrero to win a sole source contract for an emergency purchase of Rydlyme, federal officials say. The sale is conducted by Blue Pacific, a company owned by Joaquina Santos, and garners the Santos’ an estimated $120,000. Villagomez pressures Guerrero and CUC staff to fast-track the deal, which violates the same rules and laws as the previous deal, federal authorities say.

[B]February 2008[/B] Acting on a report from the CNMI Office of the Public Auditor, the Federal Bureau of Investigation begins examining the details of the sixth and final transaction in the alleged scheme. A federal investigation follows that results in subpoenas of CUC and local government officials and records dating back to 1998.

[B]July 7, 2008 [/B] Villagomez returns from a conference in New York amid rumors he is under mounting pressure from federal investigators. He later tells reporters he was “advised” to return to the CNMI but declines to elaborate.

[B]July 22, 2008[/B] A federal grand jury hands down an indictment against Villagomez, Guerrero and the Santos’, charging them with wire fraud, theft of federal funds and conspiracy charges. The indictment is then sealed.

[B]July 23, 2008[/B] U.S. Marshalls issue arrest warrants for James and Joaquina Santos, Villagomez and Anthony Guerrero.

[B]Aug 8, 2008[/B] Guerrero signs a plea deal with federal authorities, pledging cooperation with the case. He pleads guilty to one count of the indictment, conspiracy, and is released pending trial on a $10,000 bond.

[B]Aug. 11, 2008[/B] The indictment is unsealed. The remaining defendants are arraigned and plead not guilty. They are released on $50,000 bonds.

[B]Oct. 6, 2008[/B] A jury trial is slated to begin in federal court.