Torres: I am grateful that this chapter is now closed

“Over the past several years, this process has been difficult for me and for my family… I believed it was important that the matter be reviewed independently… I am grateful that this chapter is now closed,” former governor Ralph DLG Torres said in a statement, after criminal cases against him were dismissed with prejudice following a March 23 hearing in Superior Court.

In the statement provided by his lawyer Anthony H. Aguon after the dismissal, Torres said he appreciates the role of special prosecutor David Karch, whose work helped bring the matter to a responsible and professional resolution.

“Torres has always believed that an independent review of the evidence and the law would lead to a just outcome, and he thanks AAG Karch for his careful review.”

Aguon further said under the agreement, both the government and Torres acknowledge that the resolution does not constitute admission of fault or any wrongdoing whatsoever by Torres.

“Instead, a civil settlement of $23,745.00 reflecting the difference between premium and economy airfares allows the parties to bring finality to the matter. The settlement agreement reflects that the trips were made for official purposes and that there was no misconduct in public office,” the statement read.

Torres also expressed his appreciation to Aguon, and to the Judiciary “for their careful oversight and commitment to fairness and the rule of law.”

Assistant attorney general Olga Kelly was the only government lawyer to appear in person during the hearing last March 23, while counsels—Aguon, Viola Alepuyo, and Torres’ own brother, Joaquin for the defense—appeared electronically.

In a stipulation signed by Karch, who also appeared electronically, and Aguon, both sides said they had “entered into a global civil settlement agreement resolving all issues” tied to criminal case numbers 22-0050 and 23-0127.

“All allegations in this matter are resolved… this action shall be dismissed with prejudice,” the filing states, adding the dismissal “shall not be construed as an admission of liability, fault, or wrongdoing by any party.”

A global civil settlement agreement is a comprehensive, single legal agreement that resolves all claims—including, but not limited to, those involving multiple plaintiffs, defendants, or jurisdictions—against a defendant, often avoiding prolonged litigation.

Judge Pro Tem Arthur R. Barcinas, who presided over the case electronically as well, ordered the dismissal with prejudice and vacated all hearings, deadlines, and scheduling matters, effectively closing the cases.

The agreement provides that each party will bear its own attorney’s fees and costs unless otherwise specified. In a statement, Aguon said the parties “have reached an agreement resolving the matter… [that] brings closure to the case and allows all parties to move forward while avoiding the time, expense, and uncertainty of prolonged litigation.”

The resolution follows earlier indications both sides were seeking to avoid trial. During a Dec. 1, 2025, status conference conducted via Zoom, Kirch told the court the government wanted to “work toward a settlement here, not a trial,” while the defense had signaled it would pursue a “no-file” position.

Filed in April 2022, the charges included multiple counts of misconduct in public office, theft of government funds tied to premium-class travel, and a contempt of the Legislature allegation stemming from a subpoena dispute.

The case was further complicated by litigation over prosecutorial conflicts. In 2024, the Superior Court disqualified Attorney General Edward Manibusan, special prosecutor James R. Kingman, and solicitor J. Robert Glass Jr.

On appeal, the CNMI Supreme Court in 2025 upheld the disqualification of the individual attorneys but allowed the Office of the Attorney General to proceed with proper screening, leading to the appointment of Karch as special prosecutor.