By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau (August 4, 2025) — A criminal case against Clarence Sriderio Rengulbai, former chairman of the Aimeliik State Public Lands Authority (AIMSPLA), was dismissed without prejudice last month after the Special Prosecutor admitted to a procedural error related to the defendant’s right to a speedy trial.
Special Prosecutor Tamara D. Hutzler filed the motion to dismiss Criminal Case No. 24-056 on June 30, acknowledging her failure to properly adhere to Palau’s speedy trial requirements. Rengulbai had been charged with theft of government property in the first degree and misconduct in public office, stemming from allegations that he misappropriated $87,846.83 in public funds.
According to court documents, in December 2022, while serving as AIMSPLA chairman, Rengulbai allegedly directed Palau Golf Inc. to issue a lease payment check for public land to “Clarence S. Rengulbai Aimeliik State Public Land Authority.” He reportedly deposited the funds into his personal account and used the money for personal expenses, including paying off a loan.
He was charged on Sept. 24, 2024, and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Oct. 4, 2024.
Under Palau National Code §403(c), a trial must begin within 70 days of either the filing date or the defendant’s appearance, whichever comes later. In Rengulbai’s case, the deadline for commencing trial was Dec. 13, 2024.
On Nov. 22, 2024, the Office of the Special Prosecutor and Rengulbai entered into a stipulated agreement to defer prosecution for six months, during which Rengulbai was to repay the misappropriated funds and pay a $2,000 fine. However, he only posted a $500 bail and made no further payments.
The court did not approve the deferral agreement until Jan. 7, 2025—25 days past the speedy trial deadline. Although Rengulbai agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial in the stipulation, that waiver was only effective upon court approval.
In a court filing, Hutzler acknowledged the oversight, stating that as a newly appointed Special Prosecutor at the time, she “failed to note the language therein” that conflicted with the legal requirements for a timely trial.
Because of the delay and improper waiver, the prosecution violated the defendant’s right to a speedy trial, prompting the move to dismiss the case without prejudice. The dismissal allows the charges to be refiled at a later date.
Rengulbai had faced up to 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for the theft charge, and up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for misconduct in public office.