Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig, 2nd right, poses for a photo with Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, 2nd left, Board of Education Chairman Andrew L. Orsini, right, and BOE Vice Chairman Herman Atalig, left. They have pledged to work together to ensure that students, staff and personnel of the Public School System, including those on Rota, will benefit from the Covid-19 assistance provided by the federal government to the CNMI.
CHIEF Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI has tasked the magistrate judge, Heather Kennedy, to determine if Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig has the financial ability to reimburse a portion, or all, of the Criminal Justice Act or CJA funds used to pay for his counsel.
Heather Kennedy
Mayor Atalig and his girlfriend Evelyn Atalig were indicted on the charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and making a false statement, but a jury acquitted them in August. 2020.
According to Judge Manglonaâs order, the court initially appointed attorney Bruce Berline to represent Mayor Atalig as CJA counsel.