Seven construction workers who sued Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International (IPI) have asked a U.S. District Court to OK the auction of the firm’s assets to pay a $5 million-plus judgment. The workers allege that IPI violated labor laws and engaged in human trafficking of workers.
According to the Saipan Tribune, the plaintiffs, through New York-based lawyer Aaron Halegua, filed an application for writ of execution on IPI’s property in the amount of 5,430,595.58 last Wednesday.
The list of assets include computer hardware, furniture and equipment, motor vehicles, casino gaming machines and two of the lavish crystal dragons that graced the hallways of the now-closed resort.
On May 26, Chief Judge Ramona Manglona of the U.S District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands entered a default judgment in favor of the workers in the amount of $5,430,595.58 plus post-judgment interest and attorneys’ fees against IPI. To date, per the Tribune, IPI has made no payments to the plaintiffs.
The island chain in the western Pacific, a United States protectorate, is subject to U.S. laws.
