Federal jury empanelled for Ada’s trial

The federal court yesterday completed the jury selection in the trial of Leyda I. Ada, who is accused of conspiring with her husband to perpetrate a health care fraud exceeding $1.7 million.

At 5:45pm yesterday, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona empanelled 14 jurors, including two alternates. It was the second day of the jury selection process.

Manglona, however, ordered the jurors to come back on Monday morning as she needs to address other matters in the case.

Manglona ordered the parties’ counsels to appear on Friday at 8:30am for a hearing on pending motions.

Assistant U.S. attorneys Garth Backe and Ross Naughton are prosecuting the case. Attorney Mark Hanson is court-appointed counsel for Ada.

Ada is faced with only three charges: conspiracy to commit laundering, money laundering, and perjury. The original indictment charged her and her husband, Melvin Ada, with 59 counts.

Melvin Ada pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.