HAGÅTÑA – A federal court has sentenced three operators of the Hafa Adai Bingo parlor in Tamuning to federal prison for a multi-year fraud and money laundering scheme that diverted more than $10.7 million from a Shriners children’s healthcare charity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands announced Wednesday.
Michael L. Marasigan, 54, of Dededo, a fugitive, was sentenced in absentia May 18 to 262 months in federal prison. Christine C. Chan, 64, of Dededo, was sentenced May 12 to 70 months in federal prison. Her husband, Jose Arthur D. “Art” Chan Jr., 77, of Dededo, was also sentenced May 12 to 60 months in federal prison.
All three were convicted by a jury in the District Court of Guam on May 13, 2025, of Conspiracy to Operate an Illegal Gambling Business, Money Laundering Conspiracy, and Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Christine Chan and Marasigan were also found guilty of multiple counts of Money Laundering.
Marasigan was ordered to pay $10,750,804 in joint and several restitution to the Aloha Shriners, a $5,871,493 money judgment forfeiture, and a $6,500 mandatory assessment fee. Christine Chan was ordered to pay $10,750,804 in joint and several restitution, an $871,500 money judgment forfeiture, and a $2,700 mandatory assessment fee. Art Chan was ordered to pay $10,750,804 in joint and several restitution, a $339,013 money judgment forfeiture, and a $300 mandatory assessment fee.
Evidence at trial showed that between March 2015 and December 31, 2021, the Chan couple, Marasigan, and other defendants ran the scheme through the Guam Shrine Club and its Hafa Adai Bingo parlor in Tamuning. Art Chan served as Vice-President and President of the Guam Shrine Club, a non-profit that purported to fund travel expenses for children and a parent or guardian to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Hawaii for medical care.
Prosecutors said the defendants defrauded the public and bingo patrons by falsely representing that proceeds would fund the charity. Hafa Adai Bingo generated approximately $34 million in gross bingo proceeds over the conspiracy period. The defendants diverted and laundered $10,750,804 in net bingo proceeds for personal gain that should have gone to the Aloha Shriners, which has Shrine jurisdiction over Guam.
Guam Shrine Club bank records showed that during 2015 through 2020, approximately $140,378 of bingo proceeds were used to pay the Aloha Shriners and for air transportation. In 2021, no bingo proceeds were used for the charity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Four additional defendants entered guilty pleas and testified for the government at trial.
Juanita Capulong, 73, of Tamuning, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering, and was sentenced May 13 to four years of probation. She was ordered to pay $479,075.97 in restitution and $138,854 in money judgment forfeiture.
Minda C. San Nicolas, 71, of Dededo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and money laundering, and was sentenced May 13 to three years of probation. She was ordered to pay $433,921.58 in restitution and $147,599 in money judgment forfeiture.
Alfredo Leon Guerrero, 90, of Tamuning, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced May 13 to time served of one day, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,095,907.95 in restitution.
Won Sun P. Min, 62, of Sinajana, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy on February 8, 2023. On May 19, she was sentenced to time served of one day, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,326,180.23 in restitution and $906,400 in money judgment forfeiture.
“These defendants traded on the reputation of the Shriners Children’s healthcare system to perpetrate their multi-million-dollar fraud,” U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson said. “It was an unconscionable means to personal gain. We will make every effort to enforce restitution and ensure that Marasigan and the Chans spend every day of their sentences in federal prison.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke, who leads the agency’s Seattle Field Office, said the case demonstrated how financial crime harms real people.
“Being charitable demonstrates the best in people. It is selflessness in action. This is in stark contrast to the selfishness and greed displayed in this case, which deliberately preyed on the charity of our friends and neighbors and stole millions of dollars from those who needed it most,” Nordyke said. “Financial crime is not victimless. Real people suffer its devastating effects.”
FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter said the crimes were particularly damaging to public trust in charitable giving.
“These defendants defrauded their own community, taking charity money meant for sick children and using it for their own financial gain,” Porter said. “These crimes are particularly offensive because they undermine the public’s faith in charitable giving. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue these cases and hold criminals accountable.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Marivic David prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.