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House adopts resolution criticizing judge's remarks in contempt case, urges further review
Summary
The House adopted House Resolution 24-4, a resolution objecting to the acquittal of Shane Blanco Villanueva on legislative contempt charges and calling for review of a judge's courtroom comments; the resolution passed 14-3 after extended debate and playing of court audio.
The House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 24-4 objecting to the acquittal of Shane Blanco Villanueva on charges of legislative contempt and urging the Commonwealth attorney general and U.S. Attorney to investigate alleged crimes related to the boost program. The resolution also calls for the judiciary and the CNMI Bar Association to review comments by the presiding judge in criminal case No. 24‑0028 that the resolution says undermined public confidence in judicial impartiality.
The adoption followed more than an hour of floor debate in which members disagreed about separation of powers, prosecutorial discretion, and the proper role of legislative oversight. The floor leader played audio from the January 29, 2025, court proceeding to show the judge's remarks in the…
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