Seven charged in illegal gambling operation, money laundering

The charges in the unsealed indictment include conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering.

The indictment named Michael Marasigan, Jose "Art” Chan, Jr., Alfredo Leon Guerrero, Christine C. Chan, Juanita Capulong, Minda C. San Nicolas, and Richard C. Brown.

The feds uncovered that from March 2015 to December 2021, the defendants allegedly conspired and agreed with each other and with others to conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, and own all or part of an illegal gambling business involving bingo games sponsored by the Guam Shrine Club.

The operation is known as Hafa Adai Bingo in Tamuning.

Guam Shrine Club was a nonprofit organization that assisted children with transportation to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Hawaii for medical care.

Prosecutors alleged the defendants and others operated an illegal gambling business using the name of GSC and its Hafa Adai Bingo's nonprofit status and bingo permits, so it would appear to the public and law enforcement agencies that Hafa Adai Bingo's fundraising activities were being conducted in compliance with Guam gambling laws.

Court documents state Michael Marisigan owned and operated Ideal Ventures, LLC., Art Chan was Guam Shriner’s Vice President and President at various times, and Leon Guerrero was also GSC’s president until December 2018.

Federal prosecutors allege as a result of the conspiracy, bingo proceeds upwards of $34 million were deposited into various Guam Shrine Club bank and credit union accounts.

Defendants also allegedly gave false information when reporting its total revenues.

The federal indictment comes nearly six years after the popular bingo operation was raided by the Guam Police Department. According to KUAM files, Marasigan spoke out questioning authorities about the raid stating they did not have a warrant.

Marasigan, Art Chan, Christine Chan, Capulong, San Nicolas, and Brown pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Leon Guerrero is set to answer to the charges in the indictment on June 21. Trial is set for Aug. 22.