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http://www.copyright link/business/...ina-as-lower-court-takes-case-20170503-gvy3q9
The Crown Resorts staff detained in China have moved a step closer to having their day in court, after police finalised the investigation and officially handed the case to a local prosecutor.
The Australian Financial Review has confirmed the case was given to Shanghai's Baoshan District People's Procurator two weeks ago, a crucial step prior to charges being laid.
Handing the case to a district rather than city-level procurator is potentially a big win for the casino operator, as it suggests authorities are pursuing lower level charges around the promotion of gambling, rather than more serious offences involving money laundering.
"Giving the case to a district-level procurator implies a less severe or shorter sentence," said prominent Shanghai criminal lawyer Si Weijiang.
It is understood all those arrested for vaguely defined "gambling-related crimes" have had their cases moved over to the procurator's office, although the exact numbers involved are unclear.
Crown had 15 of its employees and at least three associates detained in a series of overnight raids across China in October.
Three Australians were among the
Crown staff arrested, including Jason O'Connor, the head of the casino group's international VIP business and two other China-based employees, Pan Dan and Jerry Xuan.
A fourth Australian, who does not work directly for Crown, also remains in custody in connection with the case.
The Australians and others are being held at the Shanghai Detention Centre on the edge of the city.
Mr Si said it would usually take the procurator's office a further three months to review the case, before handing it over to a local court which was responsible for setting trial dates.
While it appears the legal process was moving ahead relatively quickly, Mr Si warned the procurator's office could send the case back to the police for further investigation at any point.
If Chinese authorities confine charges against the Crown staff and associates to "gambling-related crimes" then they are facing a maximum of three years' jail, rather than many times that number if charges were broadened to include money laundering or other more serious crimes.
Crown will be hoping those involved are treated in a similar way to the South Korean casino staff detained in 2015, who were released with time served after around 18 months.
Crown did not return calls on Wednesday.
The
Casino group's controlling shareholder, James Packer, has previously said the company's top priority was "managing through the whole China situation".
He said advocating on behalf of detained staff would be done "in a way that is respectful to China and in a way that best represents our staff".
Since the crisis in China and subsequent fall in high-roller gambling revenues, Crown has moved to radically restructure its business. It sold out of its Macau joint venture, Melco Crown, and scrapped plans for a casino in Las Vegas, although the group is still looking to develop a
casino resort in Japan.
The company has also overhauled its board and management, with Robert Rankin stepping down as Crown chairman in January and chief executive Rowen Craigie leaving in late February.
John Alexander, a long-time confidant of the Packer family, has assumed control of the Casino group as executive chairman, while Mr Packer is also set to rejoin the board.
Last week the architect of its more aggressive China strategy,
Michael Chen, also left the company.
