Wednesday, January 20, 2010


Fitial masseuse employed at legitimate spa in Garapan


By Ferdie de la Torre

Qingmei Cheng, the controversial 28-year-old masseuse of Gov. Benigno Fitial, was employed at a legitimate spa in Garapan at the time U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested her and a man for allegedly trying to smuggle 22 aliens to Guam.

Saipan Tribune learned that Cheng was a masseuse at Healing Stone Spa-also called Yu Yu Spa-which is located on the ground floor of Holiday Saipan Resort.

Healing Stone Spa opened for business in August 2009, the manager said yesterday in a phone interview.

The manager confirmed that Cheng was their employee, but that she was not there anymore. She refused to comment further.

Cheng listed Yu Yu Spa as her employer in documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the NMI. She claimed earning $600 salary per month.

When Saipan Tribune checked Saipan Stone yesterday afternoon, there were at least two customers-both female Japanese tourists. Their facilities looked clean and nice. The masseuses also wore decent uniforms.

The place is said to be also frequented by many local male and female customers.

A masseuse there said she does not know Qingmei Cheng because they are using first names or other names at the establishment.

Cheng was among 22 Chinese nationals arrested recently by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for allegedly trying to unlawfully enter Guam through a boat.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson last week granted the U.S. government's motion to conduct a hearing pertaining to the alleged unauthorized release of Cheng from the Department of Corrections upon Fitial's instruction.

Cheng and Jian Li, 31, were indicted with 22 counts of attempting to bring aliens to the U.S.

According to assistant U.S. attorney Eric O'Malley, despite no federal authorization DOC officials took out Cheng from DOC last Jan. 8 and brought to Fitial's residence where she provided massage treatment to the governor.

O'Malley said upon information and belief, prior to her arrest, Cheng was Fitial's regular massage therapist.


http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory. ... 6619&cat=1