Hong Kong-based Tiger Resort Asia Ltd. (TRAL) has filed a criminal complaint against the group of Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada for their takeover of the management of Okada Manila in May.
Through its legal counsel Guantao and Chao Solicitors and Notaries, TRAL has filed a criminal complaint against the mogul before the Hong Kong Police Wan Chai Division “for committing fraud and violence” during their takeover of the $3.3-billion integrated resort and casino in Entertainment City.
“As a result of Kazuo Okada’s criminal acts, the operations of Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI) and Okada Manila have been unjustly paralyzed, and consequently TRAL has suffered significant and irreparable loss,” according to the criminal complaint.
The TRLEI group earlier this month has re-taken the management control of the casino after its security group and some members of the Philippine National Police barged into the facility that resulted in another scuffle between the two opposing camps.
Kazuo, however, was retained as chairman but all the other board members he appointed were booted out of the company.
Acting on the criminal complaint, Hong Kong officials have requested the submission of further documentary evidence to aid it in its investigation, TRAL said.
“We are thankful that Hong Kong authorities have acted upon the criminal complaints against Kazuo Okada and his cohorts. This is just the beginning of the slew of criminal and civil cases that we will be filing against the Kazuo Group for their blatant disregard of the law,” TRAL said.
TRAL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-listed holding company Universal Entertainment Corp., owns 99.9 percent of TRLEI, the operator of Okada Manila. The Hong Kong company is now looking at the operation status of Okada Manila after the Kazuo group took over the management of the integrated casino resort.
“While we put in order the management and operations of Okada Manila, we are conducting an investigation on the illegal cash withdrawals from the casino cage, the unfair treatment and illegal dismissal of our staff, as well as the overpayments to contractors. We will submit these as further evidence to the Hong Kong Police and use these to file criminal and civil lawsuits in Hong Kong,” TRAL said.
“As we continue to safeguard our investments, employees, and stakeholders, we at UEC vow to support TRAL in bringing justice into Kazuo Okada, (Antonio) Cojuangco, (Dindo) Espeleta and their accessories and affiliates. We also hope that the Philippine courts will soon resolve the intra-corporate dispute in order for us to move forward with our growth plans for Okada Manila,” UEC President Jun Fujimoto said.
The Kazuo Group has yet to respond to the said complaint.