Judge Perez steps away from election case

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Today's special session in the Superior Court of Guam lasted all but five minutes. Superior Court Judge Vern Perez recused himself from hearing the election challenge filed by the Democrat gubernatorial team of Carl Gutierrez and Frank Aguon, Jr. Judge Perez said his impartiality was questioned because his cousin is a close advisor to the respondent.

His recusal follows a statement of objection filed Tuesday by Gutierrez-Aguon attorney David Lujan who questioned Judge Perez' impartiality and competency. The election challenge also moves from the Superior Court over to the District Court of Guam. On Tuesday, the Guam Election Commission filed a notice of removal.

Because the two cases filed in the Superior and District Court are nearly identical, the GEC believes there's no reason to have them heard separately.

A hearing has not yet been scheduled in the District Court.

Although the Calvo-Tenorio team has been certified as the winners of the November General Election, the Gutierrez-Aguon team argue the election process was flawed and filled with abuse and fraud.