Pursuant to a lengthy investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division, shop on December 20th, 2013, the Attorney General’s Office filed charges against Mary Grace Baconga, Jeryl Blas, Temmy Shmull and Haruo Esang. Esang, Ms. Baconga and Ms. Blas have been charged with the following crimes: People trafficking, profiting from prostitution (no coercion), profiting from prostitution (coercion), exploiting a trafficked person, advancing prostitution (coercion), advancing prostitution (no coercion), money laundering, unlawful wage obligation, unlawful employee restrictions, unlawful work schedule, and violation of the requirement of obtaining a foreign investment approval certificate. Temmy Shmull has been charged with soliciting prostitution. Mr. Esang has been charged with unlawful employee restrictions and aiding and abetting a violation of the requirement of obtaining a foreign investment approval certificate. These activities occurred numerous times primarily at the ATT Karaoke Bar and Disco. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Joshua Kolsrud.
