by Mindy Aguon
Guam - Curtis Van De Veld met today's deadline to submit a response to the feds application for a warrant to return $30,000. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco Gatewood issued a warrant of arrest for $30,000 in drug money that was paid to the local attorney in drug money paid to him after a bust in January at the Gajo & Sons Auto Shop.
Van De Veld contends the payment was part of a plea agreement worked out between himself and Chief Deputy Attorney General Phil Tydingco. According to the response to the warrant filed with the court today, Attorney Van De Veld contends that the feds have no right to the seized money saying once GovGuam uses them, the Justice Department has no right to forfeiture of the funds.
The defense attorney added that Gajo's new attorney, when taking over the case in March, had asked Van De Veld for the money but was denied his request. Van De Veld has told KUAM News that there is no money left because it was all spent.
He must appear in the district court on Tuesday to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court for failing to turn over the money.