October 9, 2014

Jimmy Hsieh, William Perez, and Pauline Perez Sentenced Today

ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendants JIMMY HSIEH, WILLIAM PEREZ AND PAULINE PEREZ who were convicted in a criminal conspiracy to conduct an illegal gambling business at the former MGM Spa in Tamuning, were sentenced on October 8, 2014. Chief Judge Tydingco-Gatewood imposed a two year prison sentence for JIMMY HSIEH who had pled guilty to the gambling conspiracy and money laundering. A $423,640.47 money judgment of forfeiture was also entered against HSIEH. HSIEH agreed to forfeit $178,113.45 from personal accounts and that three of his condos are subject to possible forfeiture proceedings, and was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. HSIEH’s personal accounts and an MGM corporate account had already been previously seized by Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation agents with assistance from the FBI.

WILLIAM PEREZ, the manager and supervisor of the MGM poker operation in 2010, received a one year sentence (six months prison term and six months home confinement) and three years’ supervised release for conspiring to operate the illegal gambling business, by operating baccarat and poker games at the former MGM Spa. PEREZ also was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and $24,000 fine.

PAULINE PEREZ, who had pled guilty to participating in the gambling business, and substantially assisted the government in the prosecution of the case, received one year probation and community service.

U.S. Attorney Alicia A.G. Limtiaco stated, “These sentences and the federal forfeiture of almost half a million dollars reflect the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecute those white-collar crimes, including illegal gambling businesses, money laundering and structuring offenses, where individuals evade currency transaction reporting requirements.”

The Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service supported the investigation and prosecution of this illegal gambling operation and related offenses. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karon Johnson (retired) was responsible for the prosecution of this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Alcantara represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office at the sentencing. One more defendant, JENNIE PAU, will be sentenced on Thursday, October 16, 2014, at the District Court of Guam.

A warrant of arrest has been issued for the fifth co-defendant, WAI KAM HO, who is currently a fugitive as he never returned to Guam as ordered by the Court, and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law when found. Anyone with information related to WAI KAM HO also known as KEN HO is encouraged to contact the FBI at (671) 472-7332.