It has been reported that FBI agents are now in Manila with the task of investigating alleged illegal payments that may amount to millions given by Universal Entertainment Japan. The funds are alleged to have gone to a former Philippine gaming regulator consultant and are said to be in relation Universal Entertainment Japan’s Manila casino project.
On Jan 12, it was reported that FBI agents from Las Vegas have been investigating alleged bribes. The agents had been looking into the matter along with the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), a law enforcement agency of the Philippines. The FBI had started its investigation in the United States. The agency decided that it needed to widen and expand its probe due to what it said was the slowness of the NBI’s investigation.
During their week in the Philippines, FBI agents are said to have visiting several locations along with NBI officials. These locations are said to be, among others, properties that belong to Efraim Genuino who is a former chairperson for Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation which is also known as Pagcor. They have also visited properties owned by Rodolfo Soriano who was a Pagcor consultant. The current investigation is said to be focusing on an estimated $40-million transfer that went to Soriano while Universal was trying to get (and did get) key concessions associate with its Manila Bay casino. The transfer took place in 2010.
It was also reported that Malacañang says it had now idea that FBI agents were visiting. According to a Palace spokeswoman, the Palace does not have any information as to whether or not the FBI is looking into the matter. If the bribes did take place, it may lead to the entire project being halted.
Kazuo Okada, who founded Universal and is a majority owner, along with his son, deny any wrongdoing and say that they carried out their dealings in the Philippines in a lawful manner. The project in Manila Bay broke ground in Jan 2012. Cristino Naguiat, who is the chair for Pagcor, has already said that they will revoke Universal’s license if it is shown that bribery took place.
Benigno Aquino III, Philippine President said back in November that they had opened an official investigation into the matter to see if any bribes had been paid in order to secure the needed license. The estimated value of the resort casino is said to be $2-billion.
In it defense, Universal has said that 3 of its former employees had paid an estimated $15 million of the alleged $40 million and that they did so without any authorization from the Universal board. They also said that they have since taken the former employees to Tokyo court to settle the matter. That Tokyo trial is ongoing and its outcome is uncertain at this time. It was also reported that the Japanese firm is planning to begin its own investigation which it says will be conducted by various experts who do not work for the firm. No other details were given about this investigation or when it is expected to begin.