Gambling suspect to turn state witness

Another suspect in the illegal gambling operations in the Garapan tourist district entered a plea agreement yesterday in the U.S. District Court, becoming the second to reach a deal with federal prosecutors.

Tam Pan alias “Bing Ge,” a Chinese national holding Canadian citizenship, is expected to turn state witness when the trial begins next week against three of the six charged with the crime.

In exchange for his plea, the federal government dropped money laundering charges against him, according to lead prosecutor Assistant District Attorney David T. Wood.

District Judge Alex R. Munson set his sentencing in March, along with Huang Hui Men or “A-Huang,” a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, who pled guilty the other day.

Both admitted guilt on charges of conspiracy and illegal gambling business brought by the district attorney’s office last month. They expect to get lighter penalties as recommended by the government.

Mr. Wood said they pledged to aid the prosecution in the case which is scheduled to go on jury trial on Tuesday.

But negotiations are ongoing to get the three other suspects to enter plea deals with the government. “I never think that it’s the end of our talks. It’s still possible to settle the case before proceeding to a trial,” he said.

Aside from the two, Liu Jun Wei alias “A-Wei,” Chen Cheng Zhan “A-Chen,” Cai Zai Ming “A-Ming,” and Chen Yung Yao “Daryl Chen” were charged with each count of conspiracy to conduct an illegal gambling business, conducting an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to launder money and money laundering.

The initial indictment filed last September charged them with seven counts, including racketeering and assault charges.

Based on court documents, the alleged illegal gambling operations involving beto-beto, baccarat and big & small games began on July 1997 and continued until August of this year.

The suspects set up the business on the second floor where Poon Restaurant is located in Garapan after Mr. Liu and Mr. Chen made an agreement with an unindicted co-conspirator Lam Kwong Yau alias “Albert Lam,” according to the documents.

Mr. Lam ended his association in the partnership in January 1998. Then, the two remaining partners hired Mr. Huang to work for the illegal gambling until August 7, 200, the complaint stated.

Mr. Liu, on the other hand, employed Chen Cheng Zhan to help in his business known as the VIP Casino, also located in Garapan. On May 4, 1999, Mr. Cai assaulted Mr. Lam to keep him from participating in setting up a competing illegal gambling business, it added.

On the money laundering charges, federal prosecutors alleged the six defendants converted monetary instruments received by the illegal gambling business into cash proceeds.

These involved 11 checks drawn on the Hip Shing (Saipan), Inc. account in Bank of Hawaii that had been tendered by patrons in order to gamble at the VIP Casino, which were deposited into Mr. Huang’s account in City Trust Bank, the complaint said.