The Hong Kong-based operator is accused of labor violations and human trafficking
T
he US Marshals Service has been ordered to seize assets of Imperial Palace Saipan casino resort’s operator, Imperial Palace International (IPI)’s assets, including gaming machines, computers and furniture. These are taken as part of the payment of a $4 million judgment in favor of seven former construction workers.
The Hong Kong-based Imperial Pacific International – the developer of the $3.9 billion integrated resort – has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and regulatory fines. According to local media reports, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI granted the request by the workers last week to seize property.
Back in May, Manglona ruled in favor of seven former construction workers. They accused Imperial Pacific International of labor violations and human trafficking.
The writ of execution was issued after the company failed to comply with the judgement order awarding the cash sum to the seven plaintiffs in May, which accounted for $5.43 million. Even though Imperial Pacific has filed appeal petitions, Manglona has rejected all of them.
The writ allows the US Marshals to seize IPI property “including but not limited to: (1) all computer hardware, furniture and equipment, motor vehicles, and casino gaming machines identified in the ‘List of Assets’ filed by IPI’s attorney on March 3, 2021, and (2) the two crystal dragons hanging in the IPI casino that are identified in IPI’s March 8, 2021 filing in a different civil lawsuit that involved IPI”.
IPI owes a $15.5 million licensing fee and a $3.1 million regulatory fee for 2021. It has also failed to fulfill its pledged $20 million annual donations to the island’s Community Benefit Fund, which was part of its licensing approval, since 2017.
Imperian Palace Saipan shuttered in March 2020 due to Covid-19. The casino, hotel and resort all remain closed.
