Troubled Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International has asked the federal court for a lawsuit it had filed against the regulator and governor to be dismissed as settlement negotiations continue.
According to local media reports, these talks have also seen a revocation hearing regarding IPI’s casino license – scheduled to take place on 31 January – postponed for a third time until 12 February.
Marianas Variety reported Wednesday that the court has granted IPI’s request and dismissed without prejudice the complaint against the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) and CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios. The complaint had alleged breach of the Casino License Agreement and sought exemption from payment of all regulatory fees plus a court order requiring the CCC to pay restitution for all regulatory fees paid in the past.
IPI’s failure to pay regulatory fees in recent years was the basis for the CCC suspending its license in 2021 and is central to the license revocation hearing that has now been rescheduled.
According to Marianas Variety, CCC Executive Director Andrew Yeom told the Commission this week, “We hope to have a meaningful resolution in February,” with settlement discussions ongoing because IPI had taken “the initiative to dismiss their civil claims.”
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