• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Tuesday 28 June 2022
  • 中文中文
  • 日本語日本語
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Consulting
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Consulting
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

FBI agents raid offices of Saipan Governor and Imperial Pacific

Newsdesk by Newsdesk
Fri 8 Nov 2019 at 07:00
Calls for 10% gaming tax renewed as report reveals Imperial Pacific tax payments of just US$21,000 in 2019
99
SHARES
2.3k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

FBI agents have raided the office and home of the governor of Saipan, along with various offices linked with Imperial Pacific International (IPI), as part of a major operation that saw multiple search warrants executed island-wide on Thursday.

According to local media reports, at least five FBI agents entered the second floor office of Governor Ralph Torres where staff were questions, phones confiscated and computer files examined. IPI’s finance and HR office at Marianas Heights Building, as well as the office of IPI consultant Alfred Yue, were also searched.

While the FBI did not provide any information on the reasons for executing the search warrants, Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios said the office of the Governor had cooperated with all requests.

“We have provided them with all the information and access that they have asked for, with the intent of being completely transparent and helpful in the investigation,” he said, adding that the FBI had made Torres aware of the raids beforehand.

In a statement, Torres said he was fully cooperating with authorities and maintained his innocence of any wrongdoing.

“In every opportunity I have been given to serve this community, I have raised my hand and have sworn an oath to uphold the constitution,” he said. “A part of this oath is to respect our system of laws and to allow these processes to take their course.

“As information is provided, I will continue to do what I have always done, which is to support the goals and aspirations of the people I serve and to remain worthy of this privilege that has been given to me. For this reason, I look forward to continuing to do this important work with the utmost integrity.”

Meanwhile, IPI released a statement of its own on Thursday afternoon also denying any wrongdoing

“First, our companies have nothing to hide and will cooperate with law enforcement authorities,” the statement said.

“Secondly, we want assure the people of the CNMI that we continue to be law abiding and good corporate citizens who are proud and privileged to be members of the CNMI.

“Finally, we want assure our employees, their families, vendors, patrons and residents alike that our companies are intent on succeeding and making the CNMI the jewel of the Pacific for our emerging gaming industry.”

This isn’t the first time the FBI has raided IPI. In 2017 Bloomberg reported that agents had entered the building where IPI’s offices were located, as well as those run by the company’s construction partners at the time, MCC International and Bei Li Da. Another raid was reportedly conducted in early 2018.

IPI has struggled to complete construction of its Saipan IR, Imperial Palace‧Saipan, amid a series of delays related to funding concerns, contractor disputes, labor shortages and the impact of 2018’s Typhoon Yutu.

RelatedPosts

Pacific puzzle

Imperial Palace planning to reopen Saipan casino in November

Mon 27 Jun 2022 at 05:21
Pacific puzzle

IPI inks deals to lease out 265 hotel rooms and villas, launch new shopping mall at Saipan resort

Fri 24 Jun 2022 at 05:58
Imperial Pacific Chairman forced to offload shares as stock price fall triggers margin financing

Imperial Pacific International reaches settlements agreement with Saipan casino regulator: reports

Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 05:42
Tinian Diamond Casino nearing completion, tipped to open in Q3

Tinian Diamond Casino nearing completion, tipped to open in Q3

Thu 2 Jun 2022 at 06:03
Load More
Tags: FBIGovernor Ralph TorresImperial Pacific InternationalraidsSaipan
Share44Share6
Newsdesk

Newsdesk

The IAG Newsdesk team comprises some of the most experienced journalists in the Asian gaming industry. Offering a broad range of expertise, their decades of combined know-how spans multiple countries across a variety of topics.

Current Issue

Editorial: The Philippines: Asia’s rising star

Editorial: The Philippines: Asia’s rising star

by Ben Blaschke
Mon 30 May 2022 at 23:55

Macau has for the best part of two decades been recognized as the undisputed king of Asia when it comes...

We’re Back!

We’re Back!

by Ben Blaschke
Mon 30 May 2022 at 23:39

While Macau’s operators have reached nine consecutive quarters of substantial GGR losses, the rest of Asia is opening up and...

Into the Sunset

Into the Sunset

by Pierce Chan
Mon 30 May 2022 at 23:29

Pawnbroking has a long history in Macau, dating all the way back to the late Qing Dynasty. The rapid development...

Metaverse: The ultimate destination marketing tool?

Metaverse: The ultimate destination marketing tool?

by Victoria White
Mon 30 May 2022 at 23:17

In the first of a two-part series, MdME’s Victoria White takes a closer look at the rising world of metaverses...

Related Posts

Confirmed COVID cases in Macau reach 391, and one 60-year-old lady severe

Confirmed COVID cases in Macau reach 391, and one 60-year-old lady severe

by Pierce Chan
Mon 27 Jun 2022 at 20:01

The number of confirmed cases of COVID in Macau has grown to 391, including a 60-year-old woman with difficulty in breathing who has been classified a “serious case” by the Health Bureau. According to the Novel Coronavirus Response Coordination Center,...

Philippines power giant reveals plan to develop new Metro Manila IR

PAGCOR says US$43 million in uncollected POGO fees mostly accounted for

by Ben Blaschke
Mon 27 Jun 2022 at 16:05

Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR says it has already resolved more than a third of outstanding accounts receivable owed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, as calculated by the Commission on Audit (COA). The COA revealed last week that Php2.33 billion (US$42.5...

Ongoing COVID outbreak in Macau up to 357 cases

Ongoing COVID outbreak in Macau up to 357 cases

by Pierce Chan
Mon 27 Jun 2022 at 10:15

The number of confirmed positive cases of COVID since the continuing Macau outbreak began on 19 June has reached 357. There were 96 new nucleic acid test (NAT) positive cases found in the past 24 hours. Of those cases, 50...

Macau government reminds gaming operators of importance of maintaining strict COVID-19 health measures on casino floors

Casinos told to reduce personnel, increase testing, as Macau COVID-19 outbreak reaches 299 cases

by Ben Blaschke
Mon 27 Jun 2022 at 06:07

Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has called on the city’s casino operators to reduce the number of personnel working on gaming floors and enhance testing and protection procedures as the city’s first major COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow....


HKUST

HKUST

Simple Play

IAG

© 2005-2022
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • Contributors
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文
  • 日本語

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • 日本語
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Consulting
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • 中文
  • 日本語

© 2005-2022
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.