The U.S. District Court for the NMI has granted Division of Customs director Jose Mafnas\u2019 request for a preliminary injunction that would prohibit the Department of Finance and Secretary David Atalig from reassigning him to the Department of Commerce until a judgment on Mafnas\u2019 complaint is issued. <\/p>\n
Last Monday, the parties involved in Mafnas\u2019 lawsuit stipulated\u2014or agreed\u2014that Mafnas\u2019 request for a preliminary injunction should be granted, which would preserve the status quo and prevent his reassignment to the Department of Commerce, which prompted the lawsuit in the first place.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona Manglona granted the stipulation filed by the parties, finding that a preliminary injunction is necessary to preserve the status quo. <\/p>\n
Pursuant to the stipulation, Manglona restrained Atalig from putting into effect his July 21, 2022, memorandum that reassigns Mafnas to a position within the Department of Commerce. <\/p>\n
Atalig was also ordered to maintain the status quo as it was before the pending controversy, with Mafnas employed as the director of Customs and Biosecurity under the Department of Finance until such time that this case is resolved on the merits or the case is otherwise concluded due to entry of judgment or settlement.<\/p>\n
The judge also ordered that Atalig and William Castro, the chief of staff of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, not to interfere with or take any adverse action against Mafnas\u2019 employment until such time that the case is resolved on the merits or the case has otherwise ended.<\/p>\n
In addition, the court found that Mafnas\u2019 posting of the $500 security for the previously issued temporary restraining order shall be sufficient security for the issuance of a preliminary injunction. <\/p>\n
Lastly, Manglona ordered that Atalig and Castro must file their responsive pleadings, if any, to Mafnas\u2019 complaint on or before Sept. 1. <\/p>\n
\u201cDefendants are hereby notified that any action by them in violation of the preliminary injunction order may be considered and prosecuted as contempt of this court,\u201d Manglona ordered. <\/p>\n
In a statement from Mafnas\u2019 lawyer, Charity Hodson, she said her client is thankful that this hurdle in the case has been cleared. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the next hurdle and Mr. Mafnas is thankful to have cleared it. The parties have stipulated to and the court has issued a stipulated preliminary injunction order, which is intended to restrict the defendants from interfering with or adversely affecting Mr. Mafnas\u2019s\u00a0employment as the director of Customs and Biosecurity while the lawsuit is pending,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Matthew Gregory and Leslie Healer represent Atalig in this case, while Colin Thompson represents Castro. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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