Five local government officials in Rota in the Northern Marianas have pleaded not guilty to corruption.
The group, alongside Rota mayor Efraim Atalig, are accused of illegally using government money to fund private trips.
The Guam Daily Post reports the five resident directors appeared at the Superior Court in Saipan on Friday.
Another defendant was ill and her hearing has been set for next week.
Mayor Efraim Atalig, who was reelected in November, is being tried separately at the District Court.
He and his girlfriend, Evelyn Atalig, have been charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, theft of federal funds and making a false statement.
The pair pleaded not guilty last month.
A trial has been set for January 15.
Mayor Atalig is being tried in the District Court Photo: CNMI govt
