CHIEF Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI has granted the request and application of Joshua Gray for a writ of execution on Imperial Pacific International LLC’s personal properties.
Judge Manglona at the same time denied IPI’s request to file a late opposition to the motion. She ordered the clerk of court to issue the writ of execution to the U.S. Marshals Service for the seizure of IPI’s vehicles, liquor, crystal dragons, computer hardware, furniture and equipment, including casino-related and security equipment.
The clerk of court shall also provide IPI a notice of its rights, the judge said.
“Once the U.S. Marshals Service executes the writ of execution, IPI may file, in writing, any exceptions pursuant to 7 CMC § 4210; such filing is due fourteen days after execution of the writ,” the judge added.
A former IPI director of operations, Gray sued the casino investor for discrimination and unlawful termination.
On May 30, 2023, the court granted Gray a default judgment against IPI.
On the following day, the court entered a judgment awarding Gray $5,686,182.20 against IPI.
As the judgment remained unsatisfied in the amount of $5,686,182.20, and IPI had not posted an appeal bond and had not obtained an order staying IPI’s execution on the judgment, Gray’s lawyer, Aaron Halegua, requested the court to issue a writ of execution to have IPI’s vehicles, liquor, crystal dragons, computer hardware, furniture and equipment, including casino-related and security equipment, and other non-exempt personal property sold in an auction to satisfy judgment.
“The total resale value of these assets will likely not exceed the value of plaintiff’s Judgment; and, if the funds from the sale are sufficient to pay the Judgment, then the further sale of IPI’s assets may be stopped,” Halegua said.
He likewise requested the court to order IPI to maintain any required registrations and insurance for all of the assets identified, and any other personal property, and maintain these items in good condition.
“The order should also require IPI to store each seized item in its current location, wherever it is found. (However, most items that will be seized are believed to be either inside the IPI casino, at its storage facilities, or in an underground parking lot.),” he said.
In addition, Halegua requested the court to set a hearing upon the return of the writ to provide IPI with the opportunity to advance any applicable exemptions.
