The arrest of Imperial Pacific International’s top executive is deepening scrutiny of the collapsed Saipan casino project, as majority shareholder Lijie Cui prepares to appear before an immigration judge Friday morning following her detention by federal agents.
Cui, 68, was taken into custody Tuesday by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. She is currently held at the NMI Department of Corrections. Authorities believe her E‑2C investor visa—required for major foreign investors in U.S. territories—has expired.
A Chinese national and Hong Kong resident, Cui is identified as the controlling shareholder of Imperial Pacific International Holdings, the parent company of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC. She oversaw much of the Garapan casino and hotel development and ran IPI’s Saipan casino operations for several years. The casino shut down in 2020 during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
In 2024, IPI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal court, reporting more than $165 million in liabilities. Team King Investment (CNMI) LLC later acquired IPI’s casino assets for $12.95 million through a court‑approved auction. Government filings in the bankruptcy case have raised questions about the close relationship between IPI and Team King principals.
