One charge against the Northern Marianas' Governor Ralph Torres has been dismissed by the Superior Court in the ongoing criminal suit filed against him.
Judge Pro Tem Alberto Tolentino issued an order dismissing the contempt charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General against Torres.
The governor of the Northern Marianas, Ralph Torres. Photo: CNMI Republican Facebook
Judge Tolentino found that chief solicitor Robert Glass, the head prosecutor in the criminal case against Torres, may have been exposed to privileged and confidential information that prevents him from prosecuting the defendant for contempt.
As for the motion to disqualify Glass from prosecuting Torres for the other 13 charges stated in the complaint, Judge Tolentino found no conflict and denied the governor's motion.
Torres faces criminal charges of alleged theft, misconduct in public office, and contempt filed by the OAG last April.