A federal judge has set a september trial date in the high-profile Pandemic Unemployment Assistance fraud case involving seven defendants — including close family members of Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio. 

District Court of Guam Magistrate Judge Michael Bordallo ordered the case to trial on September 22, following months of delays tied to an extensive discovery process that includes more than one million pages of documents.

The trial date comes after a January status hearing where defense attorneys asked to push proceedings further into the year, citing the volume of evidence. Judge Bordallo previously said he did not want additional delays, noting the case needs to move forward after being postponed several times.

Among the defendants are Tenorio’s partner, Matthew Topasna; his sister, Charissa Tenorio; and Frankie Rosalin, the father of Charissa Tenorio’s children; along with Winnie Santos, Tina Sanchez, Marlene Pinaula and Kathleen Peredo. Lt. Gov. Tenorio is not charged in the case and has repeatedly stated that neither he nor Adelup is involved in the investigation.

The September 22 trial date falls about one month after the August 1 primary election. Topasna’s attorney, Thomas Fisher — who is running for attorney general — asked the court to delay trial until after the election, citing political considerations. Judge Bordallo declined.

Under the court’s schedule, attorneys must file discovery status reports by February 19, with a status hearing set for February 26. Pre-trial motions are due July 15, and jury selection and trial are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. September 22.

Federal prosecutors allege the defendants took part in a scheme that submitted roughly $1.9 million in fraudulent PUA claims through the Guam Department of Labor. All seven defendants have pleaded not guilty and were released under conditions.