Yeom temporarily reinstated as CCC executive director

The Commonwealth Casino Commission board confirmed on Thursday the temporary re-appointment of Andrew Yeom as the CCC executive director. Due to its limited funding, though, Yeom’s temporary appointment is only for two months or until the end of February 2024.

CCC board chair Edward C. DeLeon Guerrero said Yeom has to focus on wrapping up all pending issues with the casino licensee, Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC.

DeLeon Guerrero pointed out that Yeom is the petitioner for the revocation hearing process of IPI’s casino license. He, on the other hand, will serve as an advocate for Yeom.

DeLeon Guerrero said the board can only hire an executive director, but it’s the executive director who can hire staff.

Before this appointment, Yeom’s last day in office was last Jan. 18, 2023, as the CCC office temporarily closed down starting the following day, Jan. 19, due to lack of funds.

When asked why he agreed to join the CCC again even if only for two months, Yeom said he never wanted to leave the commission.

“We’ve got unfinished business to take care of,” he said, adding that he is one of the so-called experts in the casino industry and has been here since the CNMI’s casino industry’s inception.

“I want to make sure that the industry goes in the right way,” he said.

Yeom said the CCC has a limited budget and he thanks Gov. Arnold I. Palacios for giving the commission “some breathing room,” even in a minimal sense.

“It gave us our chance to come back and hopefully take care of the unfinished business. It’s only two months for now, but you never know how things are [going to] flow,” he said.