CHC following through on CUC payments—Fletcher

Not including past arrears, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. has so far been current in its payments with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., according to CUC’s executive director Alan Fletcher.

Fletcher told Saipan Tribune that CHCC did make payments, following a court order in May for CHCC to make monthly payments to CUC equivalent to its monthly usage.

“CUC did make payments in June for May usage,” Fletcher said.

According to Fletcher, about $484,000 was paid and another was made for April, totaling $411,569.

He said the payments were only for the principal amounts and did not include late charges.

“This matter is in litigation, and monthly payments equal to current usage have been ordered by the court,” Fletcher said.

In May this year, Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman extended a temporary restraining order that prohibits CUC from disconnecting electric, water, and sewer utility services to CHCC.

In an earlier interview, CUC’s board chair Dave Sablan Jr. told Saipan Tribune that he is pleased that CHCC remains current for the month of April and May billings.

Sablan said that there were just a couple of differences in the billing for May.

“They are showing good faith in that regard and I am going to cooperate and work with them, notwithstanding that we’re also under TRO,” Sablan said.

Sablan also said that with the TRO, there is “just a slight discrepancy” and that CUC’s management is working with CHCC’s attorney to get some clarification on the billing differences.

CHCCs next due for payment is this week, according to Fletcher, and the bill is for the month of June, which is $517,745.07.

CHCC’s chief executive officer Esther Muña could not be immediately reached for comments.