With just about a week left until over $100 million in federal funds dry up, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Attorney General Doug Moylan are caught up in a legal dispute over the new hospital.

The AG is suing the Governor and the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority in federal court over the Mangilao land takings.

He wants the court to put a stop to the land acquisition, invalidate the loans and prohibit the governor from using the American Rescue Plan funds without the legislature’s approval.

Moylan told our partners at the point that the Governor is “gambling” with the federal funds.

“It's $100 million. We are going to lose it. Are you willing to gamble with– that’s a huge amount of money. That’s like one third of, 20 years ago, the budget. So the Governor, with pride, hubris and everything that goes along with the destruction of the community is going to waste $100 million of our money,” said Moylan.

But the Governor calls the lawsuit a “political stunt” and blames his actions for putting the monies at risk.

“He’s trying to stop that I think for political reasons, for self interests and making headlines. That’s totally a disgrace to the Office of the Attorney General,” said Leon Guerrero.

When asked how confident she is that she will meet the tight deadline.

“A hundred percent,” Leon Guerrero added.

But she says if it goes to court, “We will not meet the deadline of December 31st and we stand to lose that money.”

Adelup said, “He better be prepared to pay for it.”

“We are asking, if we do go to court, that he then secures a bond for $100 million because if we lose that money, then we can have some recourse to get the money back for $100 million in bond. We think he’s wrong and that he is going to have to pay us that $100 million if he goes forward with this,” said Leon Guerrero.

But that’s not how the law works, according to the AG.

“The last time I heard you need a bond is when you appeal a case. This is not an appeal. This is a declaratory judgement before the US District Court of Guam in order to stop government officials from breaking Guam law,” said Moylan.

“There’s a whole bunch of processes in place but the big red flag was governor, you need to send it to the attorney general, your contract, your agreement with GHURA. GHURA is not the government necessarily, they’re an autonomous agency. Where’s the MOU? Nothing,” he added.

Still, the Governor said she’s still going to spend that money.

“I haven’t been told by anybody, the courts, to stop. No,” said Leon Guerrero.

She’s determined to move forward with her plans to break ground on her new hospital early next year.

“We are already working with GWA, GPA and even the military to lay down the infrastructure in these properties,” said Leon Guerrero.

Meantime, the Mangilao landowners have until Jan. 17 to file a dismissal in GHURA’s Eminent Domain lawsuit.

As reported, at least one landowner said he plans to do so and fight GHURA in court “all the way.”