The federal trial for seven individuals accused of defrauding the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is now more likely to take place in September rather than June. 

During a brief status conference Tuesday morning in District Court of Guam, Magistrate Judge Michael Bordallo was told that discovery is still ongoing, with three hard drives of evidence in the process of being turned over to defense counsel. Attorneys have already received about one million pages of records related to the case.

The defendants — Matthew Topasna, Charissa Tenorio, Frankie Rosalin, Tina Sanchez, Winnie Jo Santos, Marlene Pinau

 

la, and Kathleen Peredo — are accused of conspiring to defraud the PUA program of about $1.9 million between July 2020 and September 2021.

Judge Bordallo ordered the government to complete the evidence exchange or provide an update by January 30 and scheduled another status hearing for February 26, noting that the previously set June trial date would not happen and a September trial is more likely.