Saipan IPI’s boss Ji Xiaobo identified as a mafia kingpin and government suspend Casino License.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Supreme Court confirmed the suspension of IPI’s exclusive casino license in August due to failures to pay its annual license fees since 2020.
IPI has also been investigated by the United States Department of Justice for money laundering in 2017. In 2019, the United States Department of Labor secured a $3.3 million judgment against IPI for wage and overtime violations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Imperial Pacific for sexual harassment and discrimination.
According to Chinese media reports, Ji Xiaobo’s aunt, the sister of his mom, Cui Limei, was given eight years and six months in prison for operating a casino.
In this case, Ji Xiaobo was mentioned as the leader of the criminal group. According to the statement, Ji Xiaobo is involved in a separate case. Ji hasn’t been seen in public for more than two years, allegedly hiding in Tokyo. Chinese media believe that the Chinese authorities are still on the hunt for him. Due to financial struggles, IPI is also facing various winding-up petitions in Hong Kong, as the company is Hong Kong-listed.
Trading in IPI shares on the Stock Exchange has been suspended with effect from April 1st, 2022.
In Thailand another operation against illegal gambling
Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) seized two luxury villas after dismantling an illegal gambling ring that allegedly turned over the equivalent of US$2 billion daily.
The size of the operation has shocked authorities, as nothing came close to this size in previous raids. A fortnight ago, representatives of the illegal online gambling company UFAV8 were arrested in Bangkok, allegedly turning over 500 billion dollars a year, which is a far cry from the figures revealed by the investigation. The two properties boast an exceptional view over Nai Harn Bay with a combined size of 1.5 square km.
