IMPERIAL Pacific International Director Howyo Chi said he will have to meet next week with Department of Public Lands Secretary Teresita Santos, Compliance Division Director Greg Deleon Guerrero and Assistant Attorney General Rebecca Wiggins to clarify portions of the notice of default that DPL issued against IPI last month.
Chi said the notice was addressed to Lingli Cai, IPI’s former president.
Cai, who signed the land lease deal with DPL, has not been with IPI since 2019.
Moreover, Chi said IPI no longer has a president, chief executive officer or chief financial officer, but DPL can address its notices and letters to him, Chi.
He said IPI has already submitted an updated annual report to the assistant AG, so DPL’s notice has to be updated as well.
Chi said IPI worked on a schedule to meet this week with Santos, Deleon Guerrero and Wiggins. However, he said only Wiggins was available. The DPL officials and other staffers involved in the matter were off-island, Chi added. The meeting with DPL and Wiggins may be held next week, he said.
According to DPL’s notice, IPI has violated its land lease contract by its “failure to use the premises for stated purpose,” which is to construct, develop and operate a resort, including a luxury hotel, casino and related activities, with 250 hotel rooms and related amenities.
DPL wants IPI to show in writing, a good faith plan to complete its hotel-casino building in Garapan and use it for the purpose set forth in the land lease contract.
If IPI fails to cure these and other breaches within 30 days, the casino operator shall be automatically in default and its lessee’s rights are terminated. DPL will issue a 15-day written notice and enter IPI’s premises, take possession of all the buildings, fixtures and improvements except removable personal property, trade fixtures, and equipment. DPL will also evict IPI without liability of trespass.
