by Mindy Aguon

Guam - District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall has ordered that more than one million dollars be paid in legal fees by the government to attorneys and legal professionals who worked on the tax refund class action lawsuit. The court reviewed the proposed fees and ordered that more than $734,000 be awarded to the Lujan, Aguigui and Perez law firm on Guam while another $963,000 be paid to the Girard Gibbs law firm.

The plaintiffs had requested $2.2 million, but it was vehemently opposed by the government claiming it was excessive and that attorneys should not be entitled to be reimbursed for 20 thousand in travel expenses, lodging and meals and another $88,000 for computerized research and paralegal compensation.

Jeffrey and Rea Paeste and Sharon Zapanta filed the lawsuit against the government for the timely and fair payment of tax refunds on Guam. As a result the district court imposed a permanent injunction and ordered the government to pay tax refunds within six months from the time they are filed.