DISTRICT Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona on Friday issued an order directing entry of final judgment in favor of USA Fanter Corporation Ltd. against Imperial Pacific International.
Judge Manglona entered a judgment for the attachment of a mechanic’s lien to IPI’s interests in the improvements in a real property — an area containing 1.567 hectares in Garapan — and the property itself in the amount of $2,089,345.28.
The judge told the parties that she will also issue a written decision.
After holding a bench trial from June 24 to June 29, 2020, the judge said by a preponderance of evidence, she found that USA Fanter was entitled to a mechanic’s lien in the amount of $2,089,345.28.
According to an online legal dictionary, a mechanic’s lien is “a guarantee of payment to builders, contractors, and construction firms…. The lien ensures that [they] are paid before anyone else in the event of a liquidation.”
USA Fanter attorney Colin Thompson said his client and IPI entered into a construction contract, but IPI did not pay the full amount due to USA Fanter under the construction contract for labor and material provided for the improvement of real property.
He said IPI has paid USA Fanter $300,000 only, adding that his client is entitled to summary judgement in the amount of $2,089,345.28.
In this lawsuit, IPI is represented by attorney Stephen Nutting.
