US agents arrest Dynasty VIP manager

US government agents temporarily shut down the Tinian Dynasty casino, arrested its VIP services manager and charged him, another executive and the casino with conspiring to avoid filing reports to the government on large cash transactions. US casinos, among other companies, are required to file reports on transactions of more than $10,000 but the casino allegedly stopped filing reports in September 2009. Two investigators from the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Unit posed as high rollers and after being assured on the phone twice that no reports would be filed, the men confirmed that in nine purchases of chips and casino vouchers totalling $450,000 in February and March.

VIP manager George Que was taken to Saipan to appear in court while an arrest manager remains outstanding for casino manager Tim Blythe. If the casino is convicted, the owners would forfeit the property and its bank accounts. The struggling casino hotel, which is Tinian's largest private sector employer, was sold last year to Taiwan's Howarm Construction Co. by Hong Kong Entertainment (Overseas) Investments Ltd. but has been behind on payrolls since January.

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