Blaise resigns, Yeom’s temporary re-appointment expires

Assistant attorney general Keisha Blaise, who was counsel for the Commonwealth Casino Commission, has resigned from the OAG effective this week, while Andrew Yeom’s temporary reappointment as CCC executive director expired last week.

Yeom and his counsel, Blaise, however, completed Friday the three-day hearing whether to revoke or not the exclusive casino license of the Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC. The two also engaged in settlement discussions with IPI director/manager Howyo Chi and IPI counsel, and other parties.

The CCC board temporarily reappointed Yeom as executive director last Dec. 28, but because of the CCC’s limited funding, that re-appointment was only good for two months or until the end of February 2024. It was not immediately learned if his appointment will be renewed.

Yeom informed the CCC board members during the board’s monthly meeting last week that they will be losing Blaise’s services, just as the CCC will be wrapping up its scheduled revocation hearing for IPI.

Blaise’s last day with the OAG is this week, but she said her last day with the CCC would be last Wednesday or the following day.

“I’m moving back home,” said the lawyer, who is from the U.S. mainland.

Blaise started serving as CCC legal counsel after Michael Ernest resigned from the OAG in July 2021.

Blaise said she appreciates working with the CCC board and staff and the things that they have accomplished together. “And I will be watching from afar. Something will eventually be resolved and it’s a really nice ride here,” she said.

CCC commissioner Ramon M. Dela Cruz praised Blaise “for a job well done” in representing the commission’s interest and the people of the Commonwealth.

“We wish you luck on your next journey. You know, it’s sad when we see people who have become a part of the family move away. And you’re welcome to come back one day when you miss the CNMI,” Dela Cruz said.

CCC commissioner Martin T. Mendiola said it’s been a pleasure working with Blaise.

“You’ve done an exceptional job,” said Mendiola, adding that, as Yeom has noted, the CCC won many court battles against IPI because of Blaise and the teamwork they worked on.

“And we were all the way through well-represented,” Mendiola added.

Yeom said he and Blaise spent countless hours, even on weekends, discussing many different legal strategies on the settlement talks and other court matters involving IPI.

Yeom said he does not know who will replace Blaise as counsel for the CCC.

Blaise said it’s definitely been a pleasure working with Yeom and that they indeed spent countless hours on the phone, trying to come up with legal strategies to try to fight these battles that that have won.

“I’m glad that we’re here [revocation hearing] now. I’m sure that the AG’s Office will appoint someone that is just as passionate and informed as I’ve been,” she said.

CCC commissioner Edward C. DeLeon Guerrero, who joined the meeting via video conference, also extended his appreciation to Blaise for all her hard work during the arbitration hearing and various district court appearances involving IPI.