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FSM Court sentence Jano and Weilbacher for crimes related to fraudulent vessel scheme

By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press

March 21, 2023

FSM—The FSM Supreme Court today sentenced Attorney Martin Jano and Former FSM Secretary for Transportation, Communications, and Infrastructure Lukner Weilbacher for crimes related to a fraudulent vessel licensing scheme. (See conviction coverage in the February 1, 2023 issue of The Kaselehlie Press)

Lukner Weilbacher had been convicted on January 17, 2023 for the crime of Conflict of Interest for his role in the scheme. Today the Court committed him to jail for 20 months but suspended that sentence, and he will be on probation for that period of time beginning today. He will not be allowed to leave Pohnpei without the court’s permission and must report to State Justice Ombudsman Brenson Penias every two months or as directed by the state justice ombudsman.

Martin Jano also had been convicted for his role in the scheme of the crime of Money Laundering and Conspiracy.

The Court suspended all but 10 days of a three-year jail sentence and placed him on probation during the three-year period. He also must pay a fine of $8,000, which must pay in installments of not less than $250 a month. He also must report to the State Justice Ombudsman Brenson Penias on a monthly basis. He was also sentenced to community service by providing pro bono legal services to at least six indigent Pohnpei residents each year of the three-year period, and he must provide evidence of that service to the Ombudsman.

Jano will serve weekends between April 28 and May 22 at the Pohnpei State Jail.

Both are barred from applying for a passport under any name and must obey all laws and ordinances. Their passports will be returned to them after completion of their sentences. If they violate the terms of the suspended sentences, prosecutors may ask that some or all of the suspension be revoked, which would mean their sentence would have to be served in jail.

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