Charges against Macaranas dismissed following civil settlement

The Superior Court has dismissed with prejudice the criminal charges against Eloida Dela Cruz Macaranas after the Commonwealth and the former Saipan Mayor's Office employee entered into a civil settlement agreement approved by the court.

According to court documents filed June 8, the Commonwealth moved to dismiss the charges against Macaranas after the parties reached a civil compromise. The motion was filed by assistant attorney general Olga Kelley on behalf of Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan and was granted by Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo last June 9.

Macaranas had been charged in Criminal Case No. 25-0070 with one count of misappropriation of public funds and one count of misconduct by a public employee. Court records indicate the charges were related to the processing and payment of lump-sum annual leave payments involving employees of the Saipan Mayor's Office.

Under the settlement agreement, Macaranas agreed to pay $7,500 to the Saipan Mayor's Office. The agreement provides for payment through 36 monthly installments of $208.33. The settlement states that late payments would be subject to interest, while no penalty would be imposed for early payment.

The agreement states that the parties sought to resolve disputed issues related to the processing and payment of the annual leave payouts and to avoid further litigation expenses, inconvenience, uncertainty and delay.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss the criminal case against Macaranas with prejudice and not pursue further criminal, civil or administrative action against her arising from the conduct described in the case, except for any action necessary to enforce payment obligations under the settlement.

The settlement agreement was signed by Kelley on behalf of the Commonwealth and by attorney Robert T. Torres on behalf of Macaranas.

Court documents state that Macaranas denies liability and denies committing any of the crimes alleged in the case. The agreement further states that the settlement is a compromise of disputed factual and legal claims and is not to be construed as an admission of liability.

The dismissal of charges against Macaranas follows a similar resolution involving Henry S. Hofschneider where the former Saipan mayor chief of staff agreed to repay $15,000 to the Saipan Mayor's Office under a civil settlement also approved by Govendo.