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2-year license for Brown OK’d
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Posted on Sep 30 2019
The Commonwealth Casino Commission approved Thursday the application of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC chair Mark Brown for a two-year Casino Key Employee License but with certain conditions.
Brown is currently under a provisional license under the CCC and the license is set to expire by Monday, Sept. 30, 2019.
CCC executive director Edward Deleon Guerrero and CCC chair Juan M. Sablan first opposed granting the license, as there were issues regarding the clarification of the documents provided to the commission. Deleon Guerrero pointed out that the commission needs clarity regarding concerns about IPI’s compliance with hiring U.S. workers and the taxability of the rolling volume to be paid off as promised by Brown.
Another issue with the application was that Brown must update the commission of the casino’s chart of roles and responsibilities
Deleon Guerrero said that the CCC was actually about to approve Brown’s application but, as time passed, more issues came up, leading some casino commission members to oppose the application.
IPI general counsel Phillip J. Tydingco argued that Brown’s license should not be dependent on the clarification of documents the commission is asking for. Tydingco said that in every meeting, IPI presents clarification when requested and believes that Brown should get the license.
Sablan said the CCC needs about 60 days to communicate with IPI and Brown regarding the clarification of the documents provided. That means Brown has about two to three months, he added.
CCC secretary Ramon Muña Dela Cruz moved the motion to approve Brown’s application, with the stipulation of making the necessary changes within 60 days. Sablan, vice chair Joseph C. Reyes, and Public Affairs & Media Relations Diego Maratita Songao agreed to provide Brown the license with the stipulation; treasurer Alvaro A. Santos was excused from the meeting and did not participate in the vote. The CCC will deliberate on this matter in December, which marks the end of the 60-day period.
