Retirement Fund pursues $7M from GMH

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Government of Guam Retirement Fund wants the millions it's owed from the Guam Memorial Hospital. GMH has failed to remit employee and employer contributions to the Retirement Fund, which prompted a lawsuit to be filed back in November.

Today the Fund, through its attorney Elyze Iriarte, appeared in the Superior Court ready to proceed with their request for a writ of mandate. "There's $7 million owing to the retirement fund and that numbers increases every moment, so we ask if you're going to continue the matter to allow Mr. Weinberg to consult with whatever client he needs to consult with, that be done in a very prompt manner.  The retirement fund wishes to be heard immediately on this," she said.

"I think this is a matter that could be resolved without the court's intervention," noted Attorney Rob Weinberg. "So I would suggest that while I'm getting my answers on those questions if the court wishes to instruct the parties to get together as promptly as possible and see if they can resolve it as amicably as possible, I have no objection." Weinberg, GMH's lawyer, said he needed additional time to speak to his client about whether they had concerns with Judge Vern Perez's possible conflicts to preside over the case. 

The judge disclosed that his step mother works at GMH and may have an interest in the case. The court ordered the parties to come back next week Wednesday to express any concerns about conflicts and if not, to be ready to proceed with arguments.