House Speaker Sabino Anastacio pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last Friday, August 11, 2023, to the charges against him of Misconduct in Public Office and Code of Ethics Violation filed by the Office of Special Prosecutor.
Defendant Anastacio was released on his own recognizance with conditions to obey all laws, remain within Palau’s jurisdiction unless granted leave by the court, and not engage in any crime or criminal conduct in the Republic.
He was ordered to appear for a hearing on the Stipulated Agreement to Defer Prosecution on August 17, 2023.
The Office of Special Prosecutor filed charges against Speaker Sabino Anastacio for allegedly leasing lands in Aimeliik to a foreign investor for over $3 million dollars without a business license and not paying taxes.
On the same day, the charges were filed, Defendant Anastacio and the Office of Special Prosecutor executed a Stipulated Agreement to Defer Prosecution. In that stipulation, Speaker Anastacio will obtain a business license and pay taxes on the $3 million income, and if, within a year, he is not in default of his payments, the case will be dismissed.
It is up to the court to accept this stipulation agreement. The court has set the hearing on the Stipulated Agreement on August 17th at the Palau Supreme Court.