Northern Marianas Islands governor's legal counsel responds to JGO chair's statement

[TexasTowelie]

Gil Birnbrich, legal counsel for the governor, issued the following statement in response to the statement issued late Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2021, by Rep. Celina Babauta, who chairs the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations:


Late Wednesday, the chairwoman of the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations issued a press release within which she stated that Gov. Ralph Torres “attempted to manipulate the Judicial Branch by requesting a closed-door meeting between himself and the chief justice.”

This is not true.”

The governor did not seek a personal meeting with the chief of justice. His counsel requested a conference to seek clarification of the chief justice’s order to notify the clerk of court of any “good cause or reason” why Judge Bellas should not sit on the case. The governor was not going to be present at any meeting allowed by the chief justice.

Counsel also sought the same clarification by letter. Specifically, counsel asked whether such “good cause or reason” was limited to the ordinary grounds for judicial disqualification, or whether it was intended to include a broader range of concerns.

Significantly, neither the governor nor his counsel impugned or maligned the qualifications of Judge Bellas. Counsel wrote: “Governor Torres does not believe any statutory grounds exist that disqualify Judge Bellas.”

Read more: https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/governors-legal-counsel-responds-to-jgo-chairs-statement/