KOROR, PALAU – On Monday, August 2, 2021, Angaur State Legislator Leon Gulibert pleaded guilty to Terroristic Threatening, Sexual Harassment, Labor Trafficking, as well as violating the Code of Ethics and the Unified Tax Act. The Defendant’s plea was done in accordance with a plea agreement between the Defendant and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
In Court, the Special Prosecutor presented the factual basis for Defendant’s conviction. Mr. Gulibert accepted the factual basis of his conviction including admitting to the commission of physical and verbal abuse against an employee of his business; making unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature; intentionally underpaying an employee in violation of an employment contract with a skilled worker; and failing to keep records of transactions for the Green Pine Store.
Per the agreement, Mr. Gulibert will pay fines totaling $30,000 and will pay restitution to the victim of labor trafficking in the amount of $2,516.40. The Defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to six months incarceration followed by seven years probation for his felony conviction of Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree. Both the Republic and the Defense will present arguments to the Court as to the appropriate imprisonment of Defendant. Please refer to the Plea Agreement for details.
Mr. Gulibert’s final sentencing is set to take place on September 13, 2021 at 1:30pm in the Judiciary Building in Koror before Justice Lourdes Materne.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor gratefully acknowledges the courage of the victims who came forward in this case. We hope their bravery will inspire others to report similar abuses taking place in the Republic.