In a September 2022 interview with KUAM, CNMI Gov. Ralph Torres wasn't sweating about a federal investigation that continued to circle him. 

"I mean if it comes it comes, I am not going to not sleep over it and worry about it when I have work to be done," he said. "...You're asking me am I worried? Am I worried now? They raided my house. They [got] everything that they think they needed. It is going on three years."

And in what's believed to be the first of many legal actions stemming from the 2019 FBI raids on his home, brothers' law firm, and Saipan offices of Imperial Pacific International -- "it" is here, tracing back to an exclusive gaming license. 

U.S. Attorneys for Guam the CNMI filed a complaint for forfeiture in the U.S. District Court for the CNMI after seizing more than $ 300,000 from two local bank accounts under the name "MCS." The move comes after the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation found a "suspected conspiracy by foreign entities and entities and individuals in the CNMI to commit wire fraud and money laundering." The schemes also involve tax evasion. 

The court filing does not fully name those involved, listing one resident of the CNMI as "A.Y." who is the sole owner of MCS. Also involved is a Chinese investment holding company registered in Bermuda with its headquarters in Hong Kong. That same company was constructing a CNMI resort and casino. Two CNMI residents and two local political figures were also involved. 

The U.S. Attorneys say that the schemes began in 2013 when members of the company sponsored foreign trips to Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore for CNMI lawmakers on a private jet. Not long after, the legislature passed a bill allowing for an exclusive gaming license. However, U.S. Attorneys detail that the company paid MCS and A.Y. thousands per month even before the license was granted. A.Y. continued to be a consultant but the filing said"MCS's actions...exceeded the scope of legitimate lobbying or consulting." The company transferred more than $2 million to MCS and A.Y. through monthly checks, wire transfers, and reimbursements. 

A.Y. and MCS also allegedly failed to disclose information to the Commonwealth Casino Commission on its exact business with the company in an effort to avoid fees.

The third scheme found that A.Y. and MCS used funds by the company to contribute more than $46,000 to local political campaigns and political parties, including a $10,000 donation to a 2019 inaugural committee. Campaign statements failed to disclose some of those contributions, according to court documents. A.Y. also paid for overseas trips for CNMI government officials, where they golfed, ate, drank, and sang karaoke. 

As a result, court documents state that the company was given favorable treatment even when it failed to meet its construction deadlines and contractual obligations owed to the Commonwealth. U.S. Attorneys say that the Company does not "have enough money to finish" their project with no completion bond in place to "mitigate the damage."