The ongoing investigation of Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International (IPI) and Governor Ralph Torres is short on public details, long on speculation.
According to Inside Asian Gaming, IPI has been summoned to testify before a grand jury in January and ordered to supply all communications between any of its owners, executive or employees and Torres, governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), where the company’s Imperial Palace casino is located.
The summons followed a series of raids by officers of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation; the FBI has jurisdictional authority because the CNMI is a U.S. territory. The officers searched Torres’ home and office and various offices associated with IPI. They reportedly were looking for evidence of communications fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and illicit donations.
The Saipan Tribune reported that the grand jury aims to “specifically look at any potential cash transactions or donations to political campaigns run by Governor Torres on or after 1 September 2013, as well as any records related to land lease or purchase agreements involving IPI and the Torres family, including cash deposits or transactions made by IPI.”
The subpoena demanded “any and all emails, text messages, letters, notices, or other forms of written communications between Imperial Pacific International … and CNMI Governor Torres.”
Torres’ office issued a statement saying he “has cooperated with the ongoing investigation.
“He has always upheld the trust and responsibility of this office and believes that in due time, this investigation will find him clear of any further concern. The process toward clearing his name on this issue will take time, but it is a process that must be respected.
“This is an important process and it is vital that the facts are provided and that the public’s concerns be assuaged in due time.
“Governor Torres will continue to serve the people of the CNMI as he has always done, with integrity and in pursuit of progress for our people. He asks for your continued understanding and patience as this process proceeds toward the eventual clearing of his name.”
In related news, IPI Vice President for Construction Eric Poon has informed local media that he expects Phase I of the property’s hotel construction to be completed by December 31 as workers from Mongolia help reinforce the construction team. Poon said the next three phases are expected to be completed a year later, by December 31, 2020.
Finally, IPI Chairwoman and Executive Director Cui Li Jie has reached an agreement to offload a 4.9 percent stake in the company—the second time in less than six months its major shareholder has looked to sell off some of her shares. Completion of the transaction will see Cui’s stake in IPI fall from 63.47 percent to 58.58 percent.
