According to an online legal dictionary, a mechanic’s lien is a legal claim against property. “Mechanic’s liens are typically used by contractors and suppliers when they haven’t received payment for improvements they made to a property.”
The bench trial started on Tuesday with District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona presiding.
On Wednesday, USA Fanter owner Guo Cao Qian was called to testify by attorney Colin Thompson
Thompson asked Qian regarding the work done by USA Fanter at the IPI construction site in 2019.
Qian talked about the structural work and debris clearing that USA Fanter performed.
Among the other witnesses called by the lawyer of USA Fanter on Tuesday were John Robertson, a U.S.-based structural and civil engineer, and certified public accountant Antonio Muna, a general consultant.
For the casino investor, which was represented by attorney Cong Nie, IPI representative Jing Zhou was called to testify.
According to the USA Fanter findings of fact and conclusion of law, IPI did not pay the full amount due to USA Fanter under the construction contract for labor and materials provided for the improvement of real property.
IPI has not paid in full the cost of the construction material of the improvement of real property and has only paid USA Fanter $300,000 under the terms of the construction contract, the plaintiff added.
USA Fanter said it has satisfied its contractual obligations under the contract thereby obligating IPI to pay USA Fanter the price IPI agreed to pay pursuant to the terms in the contract including furnishing materials and labor to the project.
USA Fanter said the unpaid balance due is not less than $2,089,345.28.
