• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Thursday 31 July 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

DOJ backs dismissal of charges against Kazuo Okada in Okada Manila LED lights fraud case

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Sun 20 Jan 2019 at 11:31
DOJ backs dismissal of charges against Kazuo Okada in Okada Manila LED lights fraud case
29
SHARES
396
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) has backed the previous dismissal by the City Prosecutor’s Office of Parañaque of estafa charges against Japanese gaming mogul Kazuo Okada and associates in relation to the supply of LED strips for the exterior façade of Okada Manila in 2016.

In a 10-page decision forwarded to Inside Asian Gaming by Okada’s local legal representatives, Assistant State Prosecutor Alejandro Daguiso stated that respondent Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI) – the operating entity of Okada Manila that removed Okada as Chairman in mid-2017 amid multiple allegations of defrauding the company – failed to prove a conspiracy between Okada and others in relation to the supply of the LED strips.

The original complaint, filed by TRLEI’s Chief Executive Adviser Dindo Espeleta, alleged Okada – via TRLEI’s then Chief Technology Officer Kengo Takeda – had pressured him into awarding Okada’s Aruze Philippines Manufacturing Inc (APMI) the contract for manufacture and supply of the lights to give it “an opportunity to profit.” The contract was worth US$4.5 million.

The complaint also alleges that TRLEI was later forced to order more LED strips due to wastage from cutting the strips to fit the building’s curves and that much of the installation had to be redone following a new installation order by APMI due to warping from Manila’s harsh weather conditions. According to Espeleta, only 20% of the LED lights were still working properly three months after Okada Manila’s grand opening in March 2017.

The DOJ ruling rejected all of these complaints, stating “there appears to be no concrete evidence at all of the Respondents’ alleged conspiracy and representations that brought about the contract in question” with most of the allegations relying on Espeleta’s own word.

It also said “officials like Mr Espeleta had every opportunity to conduct due diligence in preparation for the signing of the Supply Agreement” with APMI.

“To summarize, we find that there is no probable cause to conclude that criminal fraud occurred.”

Despite its findings, the DOJ also recommended in December that charges be filed against Okada for the alleged misappropriation of around US$3.1 million salaries and fees from TRLEI during his time as Chairman and CEO. Earlier this month a Parañaque City court issued a warrant for Okada’s arrest.

RelatedPosts

PAGCOR to slash license fees charged to Philippine IR operators on online gaming GGR to new low of 25%

PAGCOR’s net income up 64% to US$188 million in first six months of 2025

Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 17:05
Lloyd Robson talks Aristocrat’s plans for 2025 IAG Exhibition at Manila’s Newport World Resorts

Lloyd Robson talks Aristocrat’s plans for 2025 IAG Exhibition at Manila’s Newport World Resorts

Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 10:34
In the crosshairs

Fitch: No clear near-term recovery path for Philippines integrated resort Okada Manila

Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 06:08
Philippines casino GGR up 630% quarter-on-quarter in 3Q20

Philippines online gaming revenues surpass US$2 billion for first time ever in 1H25 – more than half of industry-wide GGR

Tue 29 Jul 2025 at 18:18
Load More
Tags: Department of JusticeKazuo OkadaOkada ManilaPhilippines
Share19Share1
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Rashid Suliman – A road well traveled

Rashid Suliman – A road well traveled

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 02:45

Rashid Suliman, Vice President of Global Gaming Asia-Pacific for casino solutions provider TransAct Technologies, provides some insight into his unique...

Macau’s IP Economy

Macau’s IP Economy

by Pierce Chan
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 02:01

As Generation Z – those born between 1995 and 2010 – gradually becomes the main force in consumption, the IP...

Keeping it local

Keeping it local

by Newsdesk
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 01:48

Melco’s House of Dancing Water provides the company a unique opportunity to help develop and nurture local talent while enabling...

7 Deadly Sins

7 Deadly Sins

by Newsdesk
Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 00:28

Global betting company 1xBet threw a memorable party in Manila in June, featuring as brand ambassador none other than world-renowned...

Evolution Asia
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
Jumbo
568Win

Related Posts

PAGCOR to slash license fees charged to Philippine IR operators on online gaming GGR to new low of 25%

PAGCOR’s net income up 64% to US$188 million in first six months of 2025

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 17:05

Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR registered net income of Php10.8 billion (US$188 million) in the first six months of 2025, up 64.3% year-on-year thanks in part to a 14% increase in revenues to Php51.8 billion (US$899 million). A day after revealing...

FBM launches eight new slot themes into Mexican casino market

FBM launches eight new slot themes into Mexican casino market

by Newsdesk
Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 15:59

Industry supplier FBM says it has launched eight new slot themes into Mexico, offering five game features and two shared jackpots. The titles are “Mystery Gems”, “Lucky Neko”, “Dragon Festival”, “Han’ei Panda”, “Dragon Jewels”, “Fruity Splash”, “Flow of Fortune” and...

Hong Kong’s Far East Consortium reports first full year gaming revenue after Australian, European acquisitions

Star says deal now “unlikely” to offload Queen’s Wharf Brisbane assets to Hong Kong partners

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 13:53

A deal that would have seen Star Entertainment Group’s 50% stake in the multi-billion-dollar Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development acquired by its Hong Kong partners looks unlikely to proceed with the parties having failed to finalize necessary long-form documentation before their...

AUSTRAC launches Federal Court action against clubs giant Mounties for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with AML laws

AUSTRAC launches Federal Court action against clubs giant Mounties for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with AML laws

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 30 Jul 2025 at 12:55

Australian AML watchdog AUSTRAC has launched Federal Court civil penalty proceedings against one of the country’s largest clubs, Mount Pritchard District and Community Club – better known as Mounties – for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with the country’s anti-money...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 日本語

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 日本語
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • English
  • 日本語