IN his 29th status report, Imperial Pacific International attorney Michael Dotts told the federal court that he is aware that there is a concern over the safety of one of the cranes at the IPI construction site in Garapan.
“The Commonwealth Casino Commission apparently asked that counsel advise the court of this [issue],” Dotts added.
“Although this action does not deal directly with the safety of the jobsite, in the interest of public safety and because of the request of the CCC, it is mentioned here, counsel will investigate to determine how serious of a matter this is,” Dotts said.
He also informed the court that he will be withdrawing from representing IPI because of nonpayment of legal fees.
He said he will file the motion to withdraw later this week, and that IPI is now looking for a substitute counsel.
In November 2020, Dotts also withdrew as IPI counsel due to nonpayment of his fees.
Unresolved
In his latest report to the federal court, Dotts said the “issue over the additional amount owed by IPI to some of its employees is not yet resolved.”
But he said payroll was distributed in full and without incident on July 30.
IPI’s next payroll is due on Aug. 13 (Payroll 17), Dotts added.
He said IPI’s parent company sent by wire transfer the August settlement payment to the U.S. Department of Labor on July 30, 2021.
The next settlement payment will be due on Sept. 1, he said.
As for employee housing and food, Dotts said: “The lease for Lucy’s Apartments has been terminated and IPI is in the process of transferring the employees who reside there to the housing at Sugar King. This is a part of a cost-cutting effort.”
Dotts added that six employees from the Philippines will be repatriated on Aug. 3.
“IPI is still waiting for the Chinese embassy to approve Saipan-Korea-China flights to repatriate some remaining Chinese citizens,” he said.
As ordered by the court, he added, construction work at the Imperial Pacific Resort in Garapan remains suspended.
To date IPI, has made settlement payments totaling $821,350.60, from January to August 2021.
According to the modified consent judgement, IPI shall make incremental monthly payments of $164,270.08 from April 1, 2021 to Dec. 1, 2021, for a total amount of $1,478,430.72.
Michael Dotts
