Department of Public Lands Secretary Sixto K. Igisomar said yesterday that Federal Bureau of Investigation agents served him with a subpoena to testify before a federal grand jury, while Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (R-Saipan) also disclosed that an FBI agent came to his office and questioned him basically about his role in the introduction and passage of Saipan\u2019s casino law. <\/p>\n
In response to Saipan Tribune\u2019s inquiries, Igisomar in an email said FBI agents went to his office at DPL last Tuesday, Aug. 16, and served him with a subpoena.<\/p>\n
Igisomar said the subpoena commanded him to appear before a federal grand jury and testify.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not know what they are looking for. They mainly asked my official government positions that I have held today and in the past,\u201d the DPL secretary said.<\/p>\n
He said he can\u2019t share nor say more than he should at this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour understanding is greatly appreciated,\u201d Igisomar said. <\/p>\n
Igisomar used to serve as secretary of the Department of Commerce. As Commerce secretary, he served as chairman of the Commonwealth Lottery Commission. <\/p>\n
CLC granted an exclusive license casino to Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC in 2014.<\/p>\n
Before his appointment as DPL secretary, Igisomar served as Saipan senator in the 19th and 20th Legislature.<\/p>\n
In response to Saipan Tribune\u2019s separate inquiries, Yumul said yesterday that an FBI agent and an Office of the Public Auditor staff visited his office Tuesday, last week. <\/p>\n
Yumul said majority of the questions were related to Public Law 18-56 and his role with its introduction and passage as a member of the 18th Legislature.<\/p>\n
The 18th Legislature passed a bill that legalized casino gaming on Saipan. Then-governor Eloy S. Inos signed the bill into Public Law 18-56 in March 2014. <\/p>\n
Yumul said he told the FBI agent and OPA staff that he did not support the casino bill.<\/p>\n
He said it was all basic questions and nothing technical.<\/p>\n
Yumul said he was also asked as to who went to Macau or Singapore trips related to the casino, and that he told them he did not joint such trips.<\/p>\n
Yumul said there was no subpoena served on him to testify before a federal grand jury. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust questions about on how casino came about. I told them I didn\u2019t support the casino bill,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Yumul said during the 18TH Legislature, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres was the Senate president.<\/p>\n
He said he believes he was asked questions because he, House of Representatives Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), and Rep. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan) are three remaining current House members who served during the 18th Legislature.<\/p>\n
Villagomez said yesterday that he did not receive a subpoena to testify.<\/p>\n
As of press time, Rep. Sablan has yet to reply to Saipan Tribune\u2019s inquiries. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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