(Chuuk) - Governor Elimo Held in Contempt

Chuuk State Court holds Governor Johnson Elimo and his attorney Johnny Meippen in contempt of Court for violating a court ordered injunction.

The injunction was issued on December 22, 2017. The injunction prohibited Governor Elimo from “impeding the business transactions of the current CPUC Board of Directors”. In January 2018, Governor Elimo issued an executive order (No. 2018-01) forming an “Interim Board of Directors for the CPUC”, violating the court ordered injunction. Attorney Meippen drafted and advised Governor Elimo to sign the executive order.  Because the executive order violates the injunction, Executive Order No. 2018-01 is now void.

The Court has imposed a $500 fine for criminal contempt for Governor Elimo. Further, both Governor Elimo and Counsel Meippen are to pay CPUC's attorney's fees.

A future hearing is scheduled for Attorney Meippen to show cause as to why he should not be held in criminal contempt. The hearing is scheduled for March 22, 2018 at 10 a.m.. A Disciplinary Action hearing will also be scheduled for Mr. Meippen.

- Order Holding Chuuk State Governor and Attorney Meippen in Contempt