Tinian Dynasty\u2019s casino general manager Tim Blyth has entered an agreement with the U.S. government in exchange for the dismissal of the criminal charges filed against him.<\/p>\n
Assistant U.S. attorney Marivic David and Blyth, through counsel Mark Hanson, have filed a joint motion for approval of their deferred prosecution agreement.<\/p>\n
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona approved the deferred prosecution agreement Friday.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, the case against Blyth would be held in abeyance or suspended for a period of 18 months.<\/p>\n
If Blyth satisfies the conditions of the agreement, the U.S. government would drop the charges against him.<\/p>\n
Manglona said the period of delay outlined in the agreement is enough to allow Blyth to demonstrate good conduct.<\/p>\n
It is not clear whether the deferred prosecution agreement document is sealed or not.<\/p>\n
At a hearing on Feb. 10, the federal court unsealed the information filed against Blyth. At the same hearing, Blyth pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n
Manglona vacated Blyth\u2019s jury trial, currently set for tomorrow, Feb. 18.<\/p>\n
Manglona granted the parties\u2019 request to have the defendant\u2019s pre-trial release conditions amended so that supervision would not be necessary, provided that he maintains contact with his attorney.<\/p>\n
Manglona amended the pre-trial conditions in the appearance bond to reflect that Blyth be released on a $50,000 unsecured bond, appear for court proceedings, and, if convicted, to surrender to serve any sentence the court may impose.<\/p>\n
Blyth is among those charged of allegedly engaging in a conspiracy to allow gamblers to conduct transactions involving more than $10,000 without filing the required paperwork with the U.S. government.<\/p>\n
Last May 9, the U.S. government filed an indictment against Blyth, Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Investments, Ltd., which owns Tinian Dynasty, and VIP services manager George Que.<\/p>\n
The indictment charged the defendants with one count of conspiracy to cause a financial institution to fail to file a currency transaction report and nine counts of causing a financial institution to fail to file a currency transaction report.<\/p>\n
Last April 25, federal agents arrested Que and executed warrants to seize Tinian Dynasty property and its money in bank accounts. Blyth was off-island at the time.<\/p>\n
Federal agents reportedly seized a total of $539,969.12 in U.S. funds and foreign and domestic currencies belonging to Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. They are also seeking the forfeiture of the funds as well as $16,551,492 more in money and other property.<\/p>\n
According to the charges, Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino allowed gamblers to conduct transactions involving more than $10,000 without filing Currency Transaction Reports with the U.S. government since September 2009 to the present.<\/p>\n
Federal law requires that a CTR be filed with the Internal Revenue Service by financial institutions, including casinos, for any cash transaction over $10,000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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