In the Northern Marianas, the federal court has postponed till next month today's scheduled sentencing of former lieutenant governor Timothy Villagomez, his sister, Joaquina, and her husband former Commerce secretary James Santos.
The three were convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud and theft of federal funds related to the operation of the financially troubled Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Villagomez and the Santos were originally set to be sentenced today, but the US District Court for CNMI, Chief Judge Alex Munson has ordered a continuance.
The sentences for the charges range from up to 5 years to 10 years in prison and fines of up to US$250,000.
The other defendant, former CUC Executive Director Anthony Guerrero, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to three years probation and a $US6,000 fine.
