From: Pacific Island Report
9 have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud
By Jacqueline Perry Guzman
SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, October 19, 2015) – Five customs officers, two alcohol beverage control compliance officers and three civilian co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to corruption charges in federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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According to court documents, the defendants conspired with each other to deprive the residents of Guam and the government of Guam of their right to honest services. Some defendants joined the conspiracy as early as 2005. The defendants’ offenses involved the taking of over $37,000 in bribes and kickbacks from private business persons in return for some form of favorable official action. With assistance from his co-conspirators, Valencia smuggled contraband cigarettes from the Philippines and avoided payment of taxes owed to the government of Guam.
