Imperial Pacific’s role in sketchy Trump inaugural gala questioned

Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International (IPI) is caught up in yet another potential scandal, this one involving US President Donald Trump’s inaugural celebrations.

Last week, the Palm Beach Post reported on an event held in Washington, DC the night before Trump was sworn in as president in January 2017. The Asian Pacific American Presidential Inaugural Gala drew over 900 guests, each of who paid at least $75 to enter, while sponsors – including IPI – reportedly shelled out up to $15k apiece.

However, none of the money raised was reported to the Federal Election Commission by the event’s host, the National Committee of Asian American Republicans, as is required by law. And no one appears all that interested in revealing where the money went.

The event’s organizing committee included Jason Osborne, a former Trump campaign aide and a registered lobbyist for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a US territory that includes Saipan, which is home to IPI’s casino operations.