ATTORNEY Michael Dotts, in his 32nd status report to the federal court, stated that the parties are reviewing a stipulation and a proposed order to allow for work to secure Imperial Pacific International LLC’s tower cranes and property against storm damage.
He said IPI anticipates that the stipulation and proposed order will be submitted to the court this week.
However, he added, “an issue has arisen over trash collection. The company providing the services has stopped. IPI is working with its own employees to address the trash and sanitation issue.”
He said no payroll was due during the reporting period (Aug. 17 to 23), and IPI’s next payroll is due on Aug. 27, (Payroll 18).
As for the settlement payment, the lawyer said, “No settlement payment was due during the reporting period.”
Regarding the amendment to the payment plan for the first amended consent judgment, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI approved and signed it on Aug. 23.
Dotts said there was nothing new to report regarding IPI employees’ food or repatriation. He said construction work at IPI in Garapan remains suspended as ordered by the court.
IPI’s casino shut down in March 2020 with the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the first amended consent judgment, IPI must make monthly payments of $164,270.08 from April 1, 2021, to December 1, 2021 for a total amount of $1,478,430.72
IPI, however, was allowed to delay the September 2021 payment so it can undertake safety work on its construction site in Garapan and secure construction cranes.
To date IPI has made a payment of $821,350.60, from January to August 2021.
As part of the amended judgment entered between IPI and the U.S. Department of Labor on March 29, 2021, IPI is likewise required to file weekly status updates regarding its progress in purging contempt and paying for the remaining amounts in the initial consent judgement.
In a previous status report, attorney Michael Dotts had asked the court to be allowed to withdraw from representing IPI in the matter because of non-payment of legal fees.
Judge Manglona has taken Dotts’s request to withdraw under advisement.
