Local attorney indicted in Guam case

Local attorney Howard Hills has been indicted in Guam on charges of conspiracy for unlawful influence as a third-degree felony.

Hills allegedly served as the conduit for 36, $9,000 checks passed to disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff from Anthony P. Sanchez, who was administrative director for the superior court of Guam at the time.

Sanchez was also indicted by the Guam Superior Court grand jury on conspiracy charges, in addition to three other criminal charges. The complaint alleges that Sanchez conspired with Hills to "avoid" established procurement procedures and obtain lobbying services from Abramoff on matters before the U.S. Congress.

In an unrelated scandal, Abramoff pleaded guilty in January to federal charges including conspiracy to bribe public officials.

A court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7 in Guam, according to information provided by the office of Guam Attorney General Douglas B. Moylan.

In a statement forwarded by Hills, dated Dec. 13, his attorney, Carol Elder Bruce, said he had committed no wrong.

"He is surprised and disappointed by the indictment returned this week by the outgoing Guam Attorney General concerning events from almost five years ago — events that already have been thoroughly investigated by competent Guam and federal authorities without finding that Mr. Hills did anything wrong," Bruce wrote.

"Mr. Hills had the honor and privilege of representing the Guam Superior Court as its lawyer between 1998 and 2002. During this time, he provided research and advice to the court on important Home Rule matters affecting the court. In 2002, Mr. Hills met his professional obligations to the court when he complied with the court's instructions to transfer his legal file to a new lawyer. How such conduct can now be construed as criminal is at the very least perplexing.

"Mr. Hills is confident he will be vindicated. It is unfortunate the Attorney General's office chose not to even contact him about the matter before returning this flawed indictment."

The charge against Hill stems from his acceptance of checks after he allegedly had been informed by Sanchez that the series of $9,000 payments were to avoid established procurement procedures.