IPI faces 3 other suits in local court

Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC is facing at least three other lawsuits filed in the Superior Court for alleged failure to pay apartments rent and over a vehicular accident.

Saipan Dream Corp. and JSJ Co. Ltd., through counsel Stephen J. Nutting, filed separate lawsuits against IPI for alleged non-payment of rent, utilities and other charges for its use of apartments units located in Navy Hill, Saipan.

Mika Hirase, through counsel Timothy H. Bellas, is also suing IPI for her alleged injuries and damage to her car when an IPI bus crashed into her vehicle on July 8, 2017.

As of press time yesterday, Saipan Tribune was waiting for comments from IPI.

In Saipan Dream’s and JSJ’s lawsuits, Nutting asked the court to order IPI to pay the unpaid rentals with late charges assessed, attorney’s fees, and costs.

Nutting moved the court to find IPI to be in unlawful occupation and possession of the Navy Hill property and remove the company from the property pursuant to the Holdover Tenancy Act.

In Saipan Dream’s case, Nutting alleged in the complaint that on July 1, 2016, Saipan Dream and IPI entered into a residential lease agreement for a term of five years to 15 units of an apartment building in Navy Hill.

Nutting said that on April 1, 2017, the parties entered into an addendum of the lease agreement which leased an additional four units of the Top Palace Apartments to IPI at a rental amount of $850 a month or $3,400 monthly.

The lawyer said with the additional four units from the previous 14 units leased, the total monthly rental payments due IPI beginning April 1, 2017 was $17,000.

Nutting said IPI has not paid rent from November 2018 to May 2019 in the total amount of $119,000 plus $11,900 in late charges.

Nutting said that on April 3, 2019, IPI gave notice to Saipan Dream that it is terminating the residential lease agreement effective April 30, 2019.

The lawyer said because of IPI’s early termination of the lease agreement, Saipan Dream is entitled to the payment of all rentals due from the time of IPI’s notice of termination up to the end of the lease on July 1, 2021.

In JSJ’s lawsuit, Nutting said that on Feb. 26, 2017, JSJ and IPI entered into a residential lease agreement for three years to 13 units of an apartment building owned by JSJ and located in Navy Hill.

Nutting said IPI has not paid rent from November 2018 to May 2019 in the total amount of $148,400 plus late charges of $14,840.

Nutting said on April 3, 2019, IPI gave notice to JSJ that it is terminating the lease agreement effective May 9, 2019 and for the return of the security deposit.

The lawyer said defendant’s refusal to pay rent or vacate the property has caused JSJ damage.

In Hirasi’s lawsuit, the plaintiff asked the court to hold IPI and its employee Rusong Xai liable to pay her damages in an amount to be proven at trial.

Bellas stated in the complaint that on July 8, 2017, one of IPI’s Mercedes buses was driven by Xai in Garapan area.

Bellas said at noon, both vehicles driven by Xai and Hirase turned left from Beach Road and were heading west on Corporal Derrence Jack Road in Garapan.

Bellas said Hirase slowed down, but Xai did not, causing the bus to hit Hirase’s car.

The lawyer said Xai admitted to police that his cell phone rang that he did not notice the car.

Bellas said Hirase suffered injuries to the neck and shoulder due to the impact.

Bellas said Hirase has been attending physical therapy sessions which have not relieved her continuing pain.

Bellas said IPI is liable for the actions of its employee.