Tinian Dynasty casino GM Blyth irons deal with US govt

Tinian Dynasty’s casino general manager Tim Blyth has entered an agreement with the U.S. government in exchange for the dismissal of the criminal charges filed against him.

Assistant U.S. attorney Marivic David and Blyth, through counsel Mark Hanson, have filed a joint motion for approval of their deferred prosecution agreement.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona approved the deferred prosecution agreement Friday.

Under the agreement, the case against Blyth would be held in abeyance or suspended for a period of 18 months.

If Blyth satisfies the conditions of the agreement, the U.S. government would drop the charges against him.

Manglona said the period of delay outlined in the agreement is enough to allow Blyth to demonstrate good conduct.

It is not clear whether the deferred prosecution agreement document is sealed or not.

At a hearing on Feb. 10, the federal court unsealed the information filed against Blyth. At the same hearing, Blyth pleaded not guilty.

Manglona vacated Blyth’s jury trial, currently set for tomorrow, Feb. 18.

Manglona granted the parties’ request to have the defendant’s pre-trial release conditions amended so that supervision would not be necessary, provided that he maintains contact with his attorney.

Manglona amended the pre-trial conditions in the appearance bond to reflect that Blyth be released on a $50,000 unsecured bond, appear for court proceedings, and, if convicted, to surrender to serve any sentence the court may impose.

Blyth is among those charged of allegedly engaging in a conspiracy to allow gamblers to conduct transactions involving more than $10,000 without filing the required paperwork with the U.S. government.

Last May 9, the U.S. government filed an indictment against Blyth, Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Investments, Ltd., which owns Tinian Dynasty, and VIP services manager George Que.

The indictment charged the defendants with one count of conspiracy to cause a financial institution to fail to file a currency transaction report and nine counts of causing a financial institution to fail to file a currency transaction report.

Last April 25, federal agents arrested Que and executed warrants to seize Tinian Dynasty property and its money in bank accounts. Blyth was off-island at the time.

Federal agents reportedly seized a total of $539,969.12 in U.S. funds and foreign and domestic currencies belonging to Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. They are also seeking the forfeiture of the funds as well as $16,551,492 more in money and other property.

According to the charges, Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino allowed gamblers to conduct transactions involving more than $10,000 without filing Currency Transaction Reports with the U.S. government since September 2009 to the present.

Federal law requires that a CTR be filed with the Internal Revenue Service by financial institutions, including casinos, for any cash transaction over $10,000.