TO BOOST CASINO INDUSTRY TCGCC chief wants more infrastructure

Newly-elected Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission Chair Martin DLG. San Nicolas yesterday pledged to pursue the development of a casino industry on the island-municipality of Tinian by implementing infrastructure projects.

To increase visitor arrivals on Tinian, Mr. San Nicolas said he will work closely with the Legislature in enticing airlines to provide direct and charter flights that will ferry tourists from various Asian cities to the island.

“We will do all we can to make sure that our economic goal for Tinian is realized,” he said.

But the biggest task which the Commission faces is the bringing back the trust and confidence of the people. “We have to work hard in reconstructing our public image,” Mr. San Nicolas said.

Mr. San Nicolas said the image of the Commission has been badly shattered with the recent indictment of its former executive director. He was referring to the manhunt launched by federal authorities in connection with the indictment of Paul Palmer, former executive director of TCGCC who had allegedly swindled the gaming commission and an Australian company by creating fictitious companies which maintained bank accounts in the Philippines and Nevada.

Mr. Palmer was charged with nine counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and interstate transportation of stolen properties. He was indicted on Aug. 5, 1999 but the case was sealed pending his arrest.

According to Mr. San Nicolas, TCGCC committed its biggest mistake when it gave so much power to Palmer. Although Palmer’s abuse of power has created a big scandal, there is a strong commitment from every member of the commission now that such incident will not be allowed to happen again.

Palmer was last seen in 1997 after he attended a Senate Committee hearing where he was being investigated for illegal disbursement of funds. FBI investigation revealed that Palmer “did devise a scheme and plan to defraud TCGCC and its casino license applicants… to enrich himself.”

The Commission is still awaiting the results of the investigation conducted by the Office of the Public Auditor as well as the recommendations it would make. Mr. San Nicolas said this would help them make the necessary policies and carry out programs of the commission.