Operator News
Saipan – FBI makes one arrest after visiting Imperial Pacific
By Phil - 3 April 2017
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that it did visit Imperial Pacific International Holdings’ casino on the remote US island of Saipan and that it has arrested one person in connection with the death of a construction worker.
Michele Ernst, an FBI spokeswoman, said: “The FBI conducted a search and made an arrest in response to the recent death of an individual working at the construction site of the Imperial Pacific Resort. The investigation is related to allegations of a federal violation of the workplace visa system, including reports the company was systematically harboring individuals who are out of status and in violation of federal statutes.”
Imperial Pacific said: “Having made all reasonable inquiries, the board of directors of the Company hereby clarifies and declares that the investigation into the relevant construction accident of Saipan external construction team conducted by US Federal Bureau of Investigation, is not related to the Group and its employees.”
On March 23 a 43-year-old Chinese national fell to his death from a scaffold on the site of the company’s planned permanent casino.
Imperial Pacific has attracted attention in the media due to its high revenues. VIP table games rolling chip reached US$32.4bn in 2016.
To put that figure into perspective, VIP gambling turnover reported in 2015 by the Venetian Macao, a flagship property of casino operator Sands China Ltd in the Macau, was US$31.02bn. Best Sunshine Live recorded its best ever month in September when its VIP chip turnover was $3.95bn closely followed by October when it was $3.84bn.
