by Sabrina Salas Matanane, KUAM News Thursday, July 03, 2008 Subscribe to Sabrina's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

In an effort to bolster Lt Governor Mike Cruz's reasons for issuing a directive to Rev and Tax to continue to renew the licenses of amusement devices deemed by the Office of the Attorney General as illegal gambling devices, the Governor's Assistant Legal Counsel Ray Haddock took their efforts a step further by forwarding a letter to Chief Deputy Attorney General Alberto Tolentino. The letter questions the AG's decision to appoint attorney Anthony Camacho as the Administrative Hearing Officer to hear appeals filed by Guam Music Inc. and D&D games.

The two companies filed the appeals prior to the governor's directive against Rev and Tax's policy non-renewal policy. The letter stated, "As you should know Mr. Camacho's wife Attorney Catherine Bejerana Camacho is currently an associate with the law firm of Berman O'Connor Mann and Shklov, counsel for D&D Games and Darryl Styles."

The letter stated that they don't disagree with the AG's opinion but rather the process in which the AG advised Rev and Tax Director to act. A process they say didn't allow the owners of these electronic games a hearing to defend their machines. As we reported a hearing before the General License Board had already been scheduled for August 1.

Reacting to Haddock's letter Chief Deputy Tolentino issued the following statement to KUAM News: "The rules or canons of judicial conduct which would apply in this matter were reviewed by the Attorney General's office in the appointment of the Administrative Hearing Officer pursuant to these rules. There is no mandatory disqualification required. A party can either waive or move to recuse the Administrative Hearing Officer, if they wish. It is important to note that the Administrative Hearing Officer does not make the final decision on any appeal. That is the decision of the Licensure Board, which in this case is made up of GEDCA and Rev and tax. The AG's office maintains its position that due process was afforded to the owners of these gaming devices."