The Federal Bureau of Investigation seized heaps of documents from Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC\u2019s accounting office, along with several computers, during the execution of a search warrant last Nov. 8, 2019.<\/p>\n
The FBI, according to documents obtained by Saipan Tribune last week, were in possession of financial documents, accounting records, and even vendor payments dating as far back as 2014, when IPI was still called Best Sunshine.<\/p>\n
According to a U.S. Department of Justice FBI receipt for property, which was nine pages long, the agency also seized Commonwealth tax payments, IPI journal entries, petty cash records, vendor payment checks, and many more.<\/p>\n
The listing even included lease payments and agreements and \u201cletters to Torres Brothers and other law firms\u201d; \u201cAlfred Yue payment document\u201d; \u201cTorres Brothers and Marianas Consultancy payments\u201d; and even lease rental agreements and lease payments.<\/p>\n
A total of 18 phones were also reportedly returned to IPI employees during the raid, according to the report.<\/p>\n
In addition to the documents, the FBI also seized a total of 34 computer hard disk drives, 15 laptops, nine all-in-one CPUs, and several mini CPUs.<\/p>\n
The FBI executed several search warrants on Saipan that included the Governor\u2019s Office, the office of Alfred Yue of Marianas Consultancy Services LLC, a consultant for Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC; Legend Realty Saipan; the Torres Brothers\u2019 law office, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres\u2019 home and vehicle.<\/p>\n
The FBI, along with the CNMI Office of the Public Auditor, also visited the Commonwealth Casino Commission but CCC executive director Edward Deleon Guerrero did not disclose the reason for their visit.<\/p>\n
Torres\u2019 chief of staff, Angel Demapan, said in a previous statement that all the information the FBI provided to the administration is that it was an investigation on \u201callegations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an effort to preserve the integrity of the process, the administration continues to seek the community\u2019s patience and support to allow the system of justice to take its course,\u201d he said in a separate statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have provided them with all the information and access that they have asked for, with the intent of being completely transparent and helpful in the investigation,\u201d Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios noted in a press conference.<\/p>\n
An IPI statement released late last Thursday said: \u201cOur companies have nothing to hide and will cooperate with law enforcement authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c[The governor], Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and the administration remain focused on continuing the operations of the government and ensuring that the delivery of public services remains unhindered. We continue to seek the community\u2019s patience to respect the integrity of the process and the systems of justice,\u201d Demapan noted in a statement Nov. 14, 2019.<\/p>\n
Last Thursday, Saipan Tribune obtained a copy of the U.S. District Court\u2019s subpoena commanding the IPI records custodian to testify before a grand jury. The District Court published the order on Nov. 6, 2019.<\/p>\n
A grand jury is a panel of 16 to 23 people that are randomly selected and ultimately decides whether there is a case to be pursued through an indictment, or a formal charge of a crime. Grand jury proceedings are not open to the public.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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