
Dear Director Patel, Deputy Director Bongino, and Director Gabbard, *** EDITORS NOTE: THIS IS A REWRITE FROM CNMIGA.ORG PRESPECTIVE
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a U.S. territory in the Pacific, stands at a critical juncture. Systemic corruption, foreign influence, and the suspicious death of a reformist governor demand your immediate attention. The Imperial Pacific International casino investigation, once a beacon of hope for accountability, lies dormant, buried under layers of political interference and local complicity. We urge you to reopen and reevaluate this investigation, ensuring that all personnel involved are sourced from off-island agencies, rigorously screened to eliminate any ties to CNMI or Guam entities, families, or associations. The call for #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles is not just a plea for transparency—it’s a demand to safeguard U.S. national security and restore trust in a territory teetering on the edge of foreign control. Below, we outline the case for action, supported by evidence, historical context, and a vision for justice.

The CNMI: America’s Vulnerable Outpost
"The CNMI is a microcosm of how strategic neglect can turn a U.S. territory into a playground for foreign influence and corruption." – Cleo Paskal
Nestled in the Western Pacific, the CNMI—comprising Saipan, Tinian, and Rota—is a strategic linchpin, located just hours from Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul. Its role in World War II, as the staging ground for the atomic bombings, cemented its geopolitical importance. Yet, today, this U.S. territory is better known for its systemic corruption, described by a federal judge as one of the most corrupt jurisdictions per capita in the nation. The CNMI’s unique immigration policies, allowing visa-free entry for Chinese and Russian nationals, have created a backdoor into U.S. soil, exploited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through economic and political channels. The Imperial Pacific International casino in Saipan, which processed $5.3 billion in its first three months of 2017, stands as a glaring symbol of this exploitation, with allegations of money laundering and human trafficking.
Former Governor Arnold Palacios, who died under suspicious circumstances in July 2025, had called for federal intervention, offering evidence to the FBI and Treasury Department. His death, coupled with the influence of local operatives like Angel Demapan and groups like the United Filipino Organization (UFO), underscores the need for an independent investigation. The dormant Imperial Pacific investigation, known as the "Saipan Files," must be reopened to expose these networks. To ensure impartiality, all investigators must come from off-island agencies, free from CNMI or Guam connections, as local ties—whether familial, political, or through organizations like the UFO—could compromise the process. #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles is the rallying cry to demand accountability and protect this vital U.S. territory.
A History of Exploitation and Neglect
"The CNMI’s history is a story of strategic importance clashing with administrative neglect, creating a vacuum for foreign powers to exploit." – Cleo Paskal
The CNMI’s journey from Japanese control (1914–1944) to U.S. commonwealth status in 1975 is a tale of strategic promise undermined by neglect. As a U.S. territory, it grants citizenship to its residents but retains unique immigration and labor laws, which have been exploited by foreign actors, particularly the CCP. In the 1990s, Chinese firms used these loopholes to establish garment factories, producing "Made in the USA" goods with cheap labor. After China’s WTO accession in 2001, these factories gave way to tourism and casino ventures, with the Imperial Pacific casino becoming a hub for illicit activity. The visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals has facilitated unchecked access, enabling financial flows that bypass U.S. oversight. Local operatives like Angel Demapan, tied to former Governor Ralph Torres, have facilitated deals benefiting Chinese investors, while federal funds meant for development have been misallocated to projects linked to these schemes. The United Filipino Organization, under the guise of humanitarian aid, is suspected of labor trafficking, channeling Filipino workers into CCP-aligned projects.
The "Saipan Files," seized by the FBI during the initial Imperial Pacific investigation, reportedly contain evidence of these activities, yet the probe stalled, possibly due to local influence. Reopening this investigation with off-island personnel, screened for any CNMI or Guam ties, is critical to uncovering the truth. The #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles campaign demands that these files see the light of day, exposing the historical exploitation that continues to undermine U.S. sovereignty in the CNMI.
The Imperial Pacific Casino: A Money Laundering Hub
"The CNMI’s economy is a textbook case of how foreign money can exploit weak governance to turn a U.S. territory into a hub for illicit activity." – Cleo Paskal
The Imperial Pacific International casino in Saipan is not just a gambling venue—it’s a potential epicenter for money laundering and CCP influence. Processing $5.3 billion in transactions in just three months in 2017, it dwarfed Macau’s top casinos, raising red flags about its true purpose. Allegations of human trafficking and financial crimes have swirled around the operation, which was supported by former Governor Ralph Torres and advised by former CIA Director James Woolsey and former FBI Director Louis Freeh. The casino’s success relied on the CNMI’s visa-free entry policy, allowing Chinese nationals to move funds and personnel with minimal scrutiny.
Angel Demapan, a political fixer, allegedly brokered deals that enriched local elites while advancing CCP interests. The United Filipino Organization, purportedly aiding Filipino workers, is suspected of facilitating labor schemes tied to the casino, further entangling foreign and local interests. Federal funds, intended for economic development, have been diverted to projects benefiting these networks, with little oversight. The original FBI investigation into Imperial Pacific uncovered critical evidence—the "Saipan Files"—but was halted, possibly due to local pressures. Reopening this investigation with off-island agents, free from CNMI or Guam connections, is essential to tracing these illicit flows and dismantling the networks. The urgency of #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles lies in exposing these financial crimes and preventing the CNMI from becoming a permanent hub for CCP-driven malfeasance.
Political Corruption and Local Complicity
"Corruption in the CNMI isn’t just local—it’s a network that connects local elites with foreign actors, all profiting at the expense of U.S. security." – Cleo Paskal
The CNMI’s political landscape is riddled with corruption, with local officials entangled in schemes that benefit foreign actors.
Former Governor Ralph Torres, a key supporter of the Imperial Pacific casino, was linked to land deals that enriched his family, facilitated by operatives like Angel Demapan, whose influence spans local and federal circles. Current CNMI congressional representative Kimberly King-Hines has pushed for increased Chinese access, advocating for visa-free entry and more direct flights from China, despite national security concerns. Her husband, the CNMI’s chief prosecutor, and her brother, now a key legislator, create a web of potential conflicts.
The United Filipino Organization, while claiming to support Filipino workers, is suspected of labor trafficking and money laundering, aligning with CCP goals. Federal funds, totaling millions annually, have been allocated to CNMI projects with minimal accountability, some allegedly funneled into ventures benefiting foreign entities. The "Saipan Files" reportedly contain evidence of these connections, yet the investigation stalled, possibly due to interference from local power structures. Reopening the probe with off-island investigators, screened for any ties to CNMI or Guam families, agencies, or associations, is critical to rooting out this corruption. The #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles movement demands transparency to expose these networks and hold complicit officials accountable, ensuring U.S. interests are protected.
The Suspicious Death of Governor Arnold Palacios
"The sudden death of a reformist governor in a corrupt territory raises red flags that can’t be ignored." – Cleo Paskal
Governor Arnold Palacios’ sudden death in July 2025 is a chilling reminder of the stakes in the CNMI. A reformist who challenged the status quo, Palacios wrote to the FBI and Treasury Department in April 2025, offering evidence of public corruption and requesting federal intervention. His death, during a U.S. military exercise in Saipan, was marred by delays in medical evacuation, raising suspicions of foul play.
The rapid clearing of his office and the fear among local anti-corruption advocates suggest a cover-up.
Palacios had clashed with figures like Angel Demapan and criticized the United Filipino Organization for its role in exploitative labor practices tied to CCP-linked projects. Federal funds, which he sought to redirect toward transparent development, were often misallocated to ventures benefiting foreign interests.
The "Saipan Files" may hold clues to the networks Palacios sought to expose, making their release critical. An independent investigation into his death, conducted by off-island personnel with no ties to CNMI or Guam, is essential to determine the truth and address local fears.
The #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles campaign is a call for justice, ensuring that Palacios’ efforts to clean up the CNMI are not in vain and that those responsible face accountability.
Aligning with Executive Order 14249
"The financial opacity in places like the CNMI is exactly why we need stronger federal oversight to protect U.S. interests." – Cleo Paskal
Executive Order 14249, signed on March 25, 2025, aims to protect U.S. financial systems from fraud, waste, and abuse, offering a framework to address the CNMI’s financial vulnerabilities.
The Imperial Pacific casino’s untracked billions, coupled with the United Filipino Organization’s labor schemes and Angel Demapan’s political dealings, highlight the need for rigorous oversight of federal funds. EO 14249’s emphasis on pre-certification verification and transparency aligns with the need to track funds diverted to CCP-linked projects. The CNMI’s visa-free entry policy and casino operations provide a conduit for illicit financial flows, potentially linked to money laundering and drug trafficking. Reopening the Imperial Pacific investigation with off-island agents, screened for any CNMI or Guam connections, will ensure compliance with EO 14249 and uncover misuse of federal funds. The #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles campaign amplifies this call, demanding transparency to safeguard the CNMI’s economy and prevent it from becoming a hub for CCP-driven interference.
A Call to Action
"If we don’t act decisively, the CNMI will remain a weak link in America’s Pacific defenses." – Cleo Paskal
Directors Patel, Bongino, and Gabbard, the CNMI’s corruption threatens U.S. national security.
We urge you to:
1. Reopen the Imperial Pacific Investigation: Deploy an off-island FBI strike force, screened for any CNMI or Guam ties, to reevaluate the "Saipan Files."
2. Audit Federal Funds: Conduct a comprehensive audit of all federal funds disbursed to the CNMI, focusing on misuse tied to the UFO and operatives like Demapan.
3. Investigate Palacios’ Death: Launch a federal inquiry into Governor Palacios’ death, using off-island personnel to ensure impartiality.
4. Close Visa Loopholes: Work with DHS to eliminate visa-free entry for Chinese nationals, curbing CCP influence.
5. Expose CCP/UFO Networks: Investigate the UFO and local operatives for ties to CCP-driven schemes.
6. Support #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles: Release the "Saipan Files" to the public to ensure transparency and accountability.
The CNMI is a U.S. territory, not a foreign playground. #ReleaseTheSaipanFiles is the clarion call to restore justice and protect America’s Pacific frontier. Act now.
Sincerely,
The American Public
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER ARTICLES ON CNMI CORRUPTION:
(3) https://www.cnmiga.org/post/cnmi-delegate-elect-s-platform-under-scrutiny-an-america-first-analysis
(5) ORIGINAL CHINA UNCENSORED INTERVIEW W/ CLEO PASKAL:
Bibliography
• China Unscripted Podcast Transcript, 2025.
• Executive Order 14249, "Protecting America's Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse," March 25, 2025.
• GAO-22-105271, "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Recent Workforce Trends and Wage Distribution," February 2022.
• GAO-25-107560, "U.S. Territories: Public Debt and Economic Outlook - 2025 Update," June 2025.
• Campbell, Matthew. "The Dark Pool: A Pacific Island, a Chinese Casino, and a $3.8 Billion Mystery," Bloomberg, 2018.
Appendix
• CNMI Workforce Data (GAO-22-105271): U.S. workers increased from 50% to 59% from 2016 to 2020.
• Public Debt Figures (GAO-25-107560): CNMI’s public debt was $121 million as of September 30, 2021.
• Key Figures:
o Governor Arnold Palacios: Deceased July 2025, reformist.
o Ralph Torres: Former governor, tied to casino interests.
o Kimberly King-Hines: Advocates for Chinese access.
o Angel Demapan: Political operative, linked to corruption.
o United Filipino Organization: Suspected of labor trafficking.