Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC chief executive officer Donald Browne said yesterday that regulators and lawmakers should stop worrying about \u201cminor issues\u201d and instead focus on stomping out all the \u201cunregulated and unlawful\u201d gaming machines on Saipan that he estimates at over 700. <\/p>\n
Browne said regulators and legislators should protect the \u201cwelfare of the good citizens of our senatorial district who are being deceived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Browne again raised the issue of alleged unlawful gaming machines on the island in response to Saipan Tribune\u2019s request for comments about the Commonwealth Casino Commission official\u2019s recent inquiry as to the whereabouts of IPI director Dong Ting Zheng.<\/p>\n
At last week\u2019s CCC monthly meeting, CCC acting executive director Andrew Yeom had asked Browne where Zheng is, to which Browne replied that he does not know where Zheng is right now.<\/p>\n
Yeom said he asked about Zheng\u2019s whereabouts because it was Zheng who certified all of IPI\u2019s financial situation and also the one who appointed Browne as CEO. \u201cPlease help us see this guy. He is supposed to be, on paper, the sole director of the company,\u201d Yeom said.<\/p>\n
Browne said yesterday that his understanding is that Zheng is still in China as travel is restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that he is not in a position to question someone\u2019s whereabouts. <\/p>\n
About the alleged unlawful gaming machines on Saipan, Browne said that closing one\u2019s eyes to unlawful activity does not exonerate those persons or bodies that are sworn to protect the gaming industry of Saipan. <\/p>\n
\u201cCasino gaming activities outside of the one licensed casino [IPI] are against the law,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
At last week\u2019s CCC board meeting, CCC board chair Edward C. Deleon Guerrero said he understands that Cui Li Jie, who is IPI\u2019s mother company\u2019s chair\/executive director, is still on island. Deleon Guerrero asked Browne if he consulted Jie in reference to the direction that IPI is going with its financial obligations. <\/p>\n
Browne affirmed that they consult with Jie on a regular basis. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re just focusing on trying to get money for payroll. The other things, of course, are equally important, but employees are paid first,\u201d Browne said.<\/p>\n
As for their other obligations, Browne said those involve a substantial amount of money so they\u2019re looking at ways to \u201csort of break it into smaller pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deleon Guerrero stressed that Browne and Jie should sit down and let her know that there are many proceedings that are happening right now, including the five complaints filed by the CCC executive director that are before the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are very serious accusations,\u201d said the chairman, adding that it will be catastrophic if IPI owners don\u2019t take them seriously.<\/p>\n
Deleon Guerrero pointed out that Browne may have been appointed CEO but if he has no resources or money to back up what he\u2019s expected to deliver, then he is set up to fail. \u201cThe problem is the wheels of justice are turning,\u201d the chairman said. <\/p>\n
Deleon Guerrero requested IPI\u2019s executives to address the \u201cserious business\u201d with the shareholder and her son.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t do enough at the rate we\u2019re going, the CNMI may have to do something to save the [casino] industry but not necessarily IPI,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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