Defendants in casino case seek bail
The indictment calls for forfeiture of more than $3 million
Seven people accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar illegal casinolike gambling operation in the Keeaumoku Street area are scheduled to appear in federal court today seeking their release from custody on bail.
The seven are Chong Su Kim, Kong Ng, also known as "King Kong," Chong Man Song, also known as "Danny Song," Suk Hyun Kim, Simon Leon, John Phoutthasack and Larry Wu.
The seven defendants are named in a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday charging them and four others with conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering. The Oct. 17 indictment also seeks the forfeiture of cash, real estate and a luxury sport utility vehicle.
The four other defendants named in the indictment are Kam Chae Choi, Yong Soo O and husband and wife Yong Sang Kim and Min Ju Kim. U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo said he cannot comment on the status of the four defendants.
According to the indictment, the gambling enterprise, which operated at Rycroft and Sheridan streets, netted an average of about $10,000 in profits per day from some time in 2003 to July 7, 2005, when law enforcement officers raided the operation and shut it down.
The indictment seeks the forfeiture of $3.04 million, which it says was derived from the illegal gambling operation. It also seeks the forfeiture of $629,800 in cash seized from a safe-deposit box, $116,200 seized from the residence of Yong Sang Kim and Min Ju Kim and $1,300 that was in Yong Sang Kim's shoulder bag when officers raided the operation.
The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of a 2004 Land Rover SUV and the real property at 808 Sheridan St., 1308 Rycroft St. and 1320 Rycroft St.
The owner of the properties is 808 Sheridan Investments LLC, according to city property records. The company lists Min Ju Kim as its agent and her Lunalilo Street residence as its mailing address.
The indictment refers to the operation as the Kim illegal game room and identifies Choi, O and the seven defendants in custody as card dealers, cashiers and managers.
The operation accepted wagers on casinolike card games such as baccarat and blackjack as well as on electronic video gambling machines, the indictment said.