Not guilty. 

That’s the plea entered by six of the seven defendants accused in a sweeping federal fraud case tied to Guam's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. 

Charissa Tenorio, sister of Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio, her boyfriend Frankie Rosalin, Kathleen Peredo, Marlene Pinaula, Winnie Jo Santos, and Tina Sanchez (Rosalin’s mother) all pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and theft of public money.

Matthew Topasna, the Lt. Governor’s partner was also in court but did not enter a plea. He’s due back July 29. His legal team has until July 9 to file a brief.

The allegations are serious: Nearly $2 million in COVID aid was diverted away from those in need and straight into the pockets of insiders, business owners, and their close family ties.

According to prosecutors, Charissa Tenorio and Frankie Rosalin, owners of comfort cuts, and Topasna, owner of Haute Dog & Company, falsely claimed their businesses shut down during the pandemic. 

The reality? They stayed open and lied to the federal government to collect PUA funds.

Investigators say they used fake furlough letters, phony employment records, and inside help from former Department of Labor employees Peredo and Pinaula, who allegedly pushed claims through and hand-delivered checks.

Some workers were even pressured to hand over part of their unemployment money, allegedly right in front of the accused.

By court order, Charissa Tenorio has surrendered her passport.

The case is now assigned to Judge Ramona Manglona, after Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood recused herself earlier this week.

Upcoming dates:

July 9 – Deadline for Topasna’s legal brief

August 22 – Pretrial conference

September 3 – Jury selection and trial at 10 a.m.

Outside the courthouse, KUAM sought comment from Tenorio, Topasna, Rosalin, and their attorneys. All declined.

But the allegations are clear: In the middle of a global health crisis, federal prosecutors say those closest to power chose profit over people.