Okada barred from leaving Philippines over $10-M estafa raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada on the immigration watchlist following a string of criminal charges filed against him by his former firm, Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI).

In a two-page order released yesterday, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II issued the immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (LBO) against Okada who is facing complaints for four counts of estafa and three counts of perjury.

Aguirre specifically directed immigration officers in the country’s airports and seaports to be on the lookout to prevent attempts of Okada to leave the country without getting permission from the DOJ.

The DOJ, however, did not state if Okada is still in the country or has already left based on BI records.

TRLEI filed separate complaints for two counts of estafa against Okada before the Parañaque City prosecutor’s office and another charge for perjury before the Makati City prosecutor’s office last January.

Okada is accused of illegally disbursing $3 million in company funds during his one-month tenure as CEO of TRLEI, the local subsidiary of Japanese firm Universal Entertainment Corp. and owner and operator of casino resort-hotel Okada Manila.

He also reportedly insisted on TRLEI giving a $7-million contract to supply LED fixtures to Okada Manila to his own company, Aruze Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (APMI).

The LED fixtures were later found to be defective and APMI turned out to be not authorized to engage in the manufacturing of lighting materials, contrary to its claim.