The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has filed a complaint against Wynn Resorts founder Steve Wynn calling for the Nevada Gaming Commission to have his finding of suitability to hold a state gaming license revoked, effectively banning him from the casino industry.
The 23-page complaint, filed on Monday in Nevada, is the result of the NGCB’s investigation into the conduct of Wynn after allegations of sexual harassment became public early last year.
According to the NGCB, Wynn “repeatedly violated Nevada’s gaming statutes and regulations, bringing discredit upon the State of Nevada and its gaming industry. He is unsuitable to be associated with a gaming enterprise or the gaming industry as a whole.
It added that, “At a minimum, Mr Wynn’s Finding of Suitability should be revoked.”
Outlining the findings of the NGCB’s investigation, the complaint states that it revealed “numerous instances of unwelcome conduct by Mr Wynn” towards multiple women employed by Wynn Resorts and who were in positions subordinate to him.
“Multiple female employees stated they experienced unwelcome sexual conduct by Mr Wynn, including exposing himself, inappropriate comments and touching, coerced sex and requests for oral and vaginal sex acts,” it said.
Among the five counts contained in the NGCB’s complaint, two relate to settlement payments made to former Wynn Las Vegas employees: a US$7.5 million settlement stemming from an allegation that he sexually assaulted a salon employee in 2005 and a US$975,000 settlement to a cocktail waitress in 2006.
The complaint also noted Wynn’s failure to appear at an investigative hearing in September 2018, despite being previously informed that doing so “shall constitute grounds for the revocation of his Findings of Suitability.”
According to the NGCB, Wynn’s alleged misconduct resulted in widespread media reporting that “harmed Nevada’s reputation and its gaming industry.
“It damaged the public’s confidence and trust in an industry that is vitally important to the economy of the State of Nevada and the general welfare of its inhabitants.”
Wynn will have 15 days to respond to the complaint should the Nevada Gaming Commission serve him with the NGCB complaint.
Allegations of sexual harassment by Wynn were first revealed in an explosive Wall Street Journal article in January 2018.
The 77-year-old, who co-founded Wynn Resorts in 2002, has denied any wrongdoing but stepped down as Chairman and CEO of the company last February and later sold off his entire 12.1% stake in the company.
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