The check was handed yesterday to BPS Director Norvert H. Yano by US Embassy Palau Charge d Affaires Mark Bezner, US Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Attache’ Jay Van Kirk and Palau’s Attorney General Jeffrey L. Beattie.
The money is an expression of gratitude for Palau’s willingness and ability to assist the US in prosecuting financial crimes, particularly the Attorney General’s Office and the BPS assistance in prosecuting Jep and Pasquana Ginn.The Ginn couple operated two companies in the US involved I upgrading cable companies to digital signals. They failed to pay their taxes and laundered their profits through institutions in Southeast Asia and Palau.The IRS Criminal Investigation Office in the US with the assistance of Palau’s AGO, was able to trace the laundered proceeds to various banks throughout the world.BPS provided substantial assistance in the arrest and extradition of Pasquana Ginn. Authorities seized approximately $108,000 from a bank in Palau.Jep Ginn, a US resident, was sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment in 2005. He entered guilty plea to defrauding the Internal Revenue Service, income tax evasion of over $1 million and Bank Secrecy Act violations.Pasquana Ginn, a Palau resident, was sentenced to 104 days of imprisonment. She pleaded guilty to income tax evasion.The US Treasury IRS thanked AGO and BPS for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of the couple and three other co-conspirators.“We hope this money will help the Bureau and we look forward to continue working with them. It’s been always a team work and it feels good when we accomplish things together,” Kirk said.Yano for his part said he is pleased that the Bureau and AGO were able to assist the US in prosecuting crimes. He said the money will assist police force in acquiring vital equipments and supplies such as uniforms.Eileen Mayer, Chief of US IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, in a media release said the Ginn investigation is another example of the commitment law enforcement has with one another truly all over the world.“It gives me great pleasure and confidence knowing that an important member of that investigative team included the Republic of Palau, and I am grateful for their assistance that directly led to the successful conclusion of the Ginn investigation,” she said.
