The Northern Marianas Lieutenant Governor, Victor Hocog, has been served a summons related to a Japanese investor's lawsuit against the owners of the cargo ship, MV Luta.
Takahisa Yamamoto was suing for breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment.
Mr Yamamoto alleged Mr Hocog, with five others and two companies, had refused to pay back the $US3.4 million that he put up for the ship, which a week earlier had been seized by the government.
He wanted the vessel sold to pay his demands, including interest and costs.