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Alleged gambling ‘queen’ indicted before district court
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Posted on Mar 16 2001
One out of possibly five individuals suspected to be the brains behind an illegal gambling operation was indicted by the federal grand jury Wednesday.
Defendant Qian Wu, otherwise known as “Queenie,” is reportedly a prominent businesswoman in her circle and has resided in the CNMI for many years.
She is charged before the US District Court with one count of conducting an illegal gambling business, after authorities discovered her and other co-conspirators allegedly operating games of “baccarat” and “big and small” that are against local and federal laws.
In a court proceeding heard by District Judge Alex R. Munson yesterday, Ms. Wu was ordered to post a $35,000 cash bond for her temporary release.
The defendant will appear again today for an arraignment at the federal court, at 8am.
Court records allege that Ms. Wu and her accomplices willfully masterminded an illegal gambling business from October 1, 1999 through August 7, 2000.
The defendant and the other suspects allegedly conducted, financed, managed, directed and owned a part of such fraudulent business.
The government through prosecutor David T. Wood has also accused Ms. Wu of continuing the business operation for a period of more than 30 days, which accumulated a gross revenue of more than $2,000 in a single day.
Aside from the cash bond, Mr. Munson further ruled that the defendant comply to additional conditions of release.
The court ordered Ms. Wu be subject to pretrial services supervision under the direction of the US Probation Office.
She has also been barred from leaving the Commonwealth and thus, been required to surrender her passport or other travel documents to the clerk of court.
Further, Ms. Wu has been advised to refrain herself from possessing firearms, destructive devices, and other dangerous weapons, as well as avoid excessive use of alcohol or any unlawful possession of narcotic drug and other controlled substances.
The defendant has also been warned against disposing of her various jewelry, savings, cars, and valuables, unless the their disposal will be intended for lawyers’ fees.
