IPI in process of filing another motion for temporary restraining order

Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC is preparing to file another request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) board members from debating and reaching a decision by next week on whether to remove IPI’s exclusive casino license.

In response to a Saipan Tribune query, IPI director/manager Howyo Chi revealed yesterday that their lawyer, Michael Chen, is now working on the TRO request, which will be submitted today, Wednesday, before the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.

“Due process violations are going to be our strongest grounds for TRO,” Chi stated, without offering any other information.

CCC board chair Edward C. DeLeon Guerrero has called the board’s normal monthly meeting for tomorrow, Thursday, at 10:30 a.m., at the CCC conference room at the Springs Plaza building in Gualo Rai. The agenda for the meeting includes the board’s deliberations and decision on IPI’s casino license revocation hearing, which is slated for Tuesday next week.

The revocation hearing is presided over by CCC board vice chair Rafael S. Demapan, along with commissioners Ramon M. Dela Cruz, Mariano Taitano, and Martin T. Mendiola. DeLeon Guerrero has recused himself from the hearing.

Following their concluding arguments on March 1, Demapan announced that a public meeting would be conducted within 30 days, during which the commissioners would consider and members of the public would be able to speak.

In Yeom’s closing arguments, assistant attorney general Keisha Blaise, who represented the CCC at the time, emphasized the importance of staying focused on the main issue—compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations—as the commissioners deliberated on revoking IPI’s casino license for failing to pay the $3-million casino regulatory fee.

In IPI’s closing remarks, Chen argued that the CCC’s $3-million regulation charge created multiple constitutional concerns.

Original story by: Saipan Tribune