Search warrant pertains to wire fraud, money laundering, other allegations involving CNMI governor
THE seven-page search and seizure warrant signed by District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona on Nov. 6, 2019 and executed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the following day authorized the search and seizure of “all documents, records, and property (whether in the form of printed documents or stored in electronic or digital form) that constitute evidence of violations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, 1349, 1956 and/or 52 U.S.C. §30121” by Gov. Ralph Torres, his brothers Vincent Torres, Victorino Torres, and Joaquin Torres, Alfred Chi-Yam Yue of Marianas Consultancy LLC or Ron Li Anderson of Legend Realty.
The U.S. laws cited pertain to fraud by wire, radio, or television; scheme or artifice to defraud; attempt and conspiracy; laundering of monetary instruments; and contributions and donations by foreign nationals.
In an earlier statement, the governor said he has and will continue to “uphold the Constitution [and] respect our system of laws.”
Imperial Pacific, for its part, said it is a “law abiding and good corporate citizen.”
Read more: http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/116877-search-warrant-pertains-to-wire-fraud-money-laundering-other-allegations
(Marianas Variety)
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CNMI governor says federal investigation will clear his name
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph Torres said Friday he believes a federal investigation will clear his name.
The governor has cooperated with the ongoing investigation, according to a statement from his office.
"He has always upheld the trust and responsibility of this office and believes that in due time, this investigation will find him clear of any further concern. The process toward clearing his name on this issue will take time, but it is a process that must be respected," his office stated.
Last week, Torres' office confirmed federal officials were at the Capitol Hill facility executing search warrants.
Read more: https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2019/11/15/cnmi-governor-says-federal-investigation-clear-his-name/4199914002/
(Guam Pacific Daily News)