Defendants of the ATT Karaoke Bar and Disco case have entered not guilty pleas to numerous criminal charges including soliciting prostitution, approved money laundering, physician advanced prostitution and unlawful employee restrictions.
Peleliu State Governor Temmy Shmull, sickness local businessman and ATT sponsor Haruo Esang, and two Filipino nationals Grace Baconga and Jeryl Blas all entered not guilty pleas before Associate Justice Ashby Pate during their initial appearance earlier this week.
Esang, who is facing charges for unlawful employment restrictions and aiding and abetting a violation of requirement to obtain a foreign investment approval certificate, and Governor Shmull who is facing charges of soliciting prostitution were both released by the court on their own recognizance with conditions.
Baconga and Blas both face numerous criminal charges including people trafficking, profiting from prostitution (coercion), money laundering, advancing prostitution (no coercion) and unlawful wage obligation to name few.
During the initial appearance, Baconga paid a surety bond of $1,000, while Blas paid a cash bond of $500 and a surety bond of $1,000.
A plea hearing and trial setting conference has been scheduled for January 27, 2014.
