Imperial Pacific faces yet another lawsuit

A human resources firm is suing the casino operator for breach of contract in relation to work on its Garapan casino.

Northern Mariana Islands.- A manpower firm that provided staff for casino operator Imperial Pacific International’s (IPI) project in Garapan is suing the company.

Fritz Pacific Project Development Services, led by sole proprietor Alfredo Cabael, has filed a complaint for breach of subcontract. It is requesting US$745,303.94 for unpaid work as well as other costs and fees.

It says that the signed two contracts with IPI in 2018 to provide a range of professions including plumbers, carpenters, masons, electricians, welders, tower crane operators and electronics technicians for construction work in Garapan, on Saipan island.

The complaint states that the workers provided by Fritz performed the work required within a reasonable time and that the company officials confirmed the staffing hours employed pn the project.

However, it alleges that IPI only partially paid for the work done before creating a separate company in 2019 to take over the staffing needs for the Garapan project. Now the manpower firm is requesting that the remaining debt is settled.

Work in Garapan was halted during the Covid-19 lockdown on the island, but resumed in November. The company obtained permission from the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) to build up to the 13 level of the tower.

IPI plans to complete Phase 2 of the project by December 31, 2021. Phase 3, which includes two VIP gaming areas and level 14 of the tower, could be completed for April of 2022, the company said. Phase 4 – the property’s beach club – should be complete by December 31, 2022.