by Krystal Paco

Guam - They used legitimate businesses as a front for illegal gambling operations and today, they were sentenced in District Court for illegal gambling, illegal gambling business, and money laundering.

Jimmy Hsieh who pleaded guilty to the charges was sentenced to two years behind bars and ordered to forfeit $423,000 in profits from the illegal gaming operation to the US Government.

Pauline Perez who also pleaded guilty to the charges was sentenced to one year probation in addition to 50 hours community service.

Meanwhile, her father, William Perez who was found guilty by a federal jury, was sentenced to one year, six months of which he will spend in home confinement considering his age and health conditions.

It was back in 2011 several people were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection to the overseas Chinese Assocation Center, a non-profit organization that was used to funnel proceeds from illegal gambling that was conducted under the guise of legitimate businesses, such as the MGM Spa which purported to be a health club and massage spa. The spa basement, however, was used to host illegal poker and baccarat games.

Not sentenced today was Jenny Pau and Wai Kam Ho. Pau who was found guilty by a federal jury will be sentenced next Thursday while Ho has yet to return to Guam from off-island.