LAS VEGAS — Wynn Resorts has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by nine women, alleging that the company failed to address claims of sexual harassment involving former CEO, Steve Wynn. The court document, filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, does not disclose the terms of the agreement.
The plaintiffs, who worked as manicurists and makeup artists, accused Wynn Resorts officials of being aware of the misconduct allegations but failing to take action prior to Steve Wynn's resignation in February 2018. Although Steve Wynn was not named as a defendant in the case, he has previously denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.
The women involved in the lawsuit are referred to as Judy Doe No. 1 through Judy Doe No. 9, and their attorneys, Kathleen England and Jason Maier, have not responded to requests for comment.
Wynn Resorts spokesman, Michael Weaver, declined to provide any further details on the settlement.
Steve Wynn's lawyers in Las Vegas, Colby Williams and Donald Campbell, have also not commented on the matter.
According to the court filing, U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro has set a court date for November 6th to dismiss the case, allowing time for the settlement process to be completed.
The lawsuit was initially filed in September 2019 in Nevada state court before being moved to U.S. District Court in October of the same year. It was ultimately dismissed in July 2020 by a federal judge in Las Vegas due to its use of pseudonyms and lack of specification regarding individual harassment claims.
The Fall and Rise of Steve Wynn: A Timeline of Controversies
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals breathed new life into a case against Steve Wynn in November 2021. The court allowed nine women, who had accused Wynn of harassment, to remain anonymous and amend their complaint with individual allegations.
Wynn's downfall began when the Wall Street Journal published allegations by several women, accusing him of sexual harassment and assault at his hotels. The scandal prompted Wynn to step down from his corporate positions. He divested company shares, resigned from the corporate board, and relinquished his role as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.
In an attempt to put the past behind him, Wynn agreed in July to resolve his long-standing battle with the Nevada Gaming Commission. As part of the agreement, he paid a substantial $10 million fine and severed ties with the casino industry he once helped shape in Las Vegas. Wynn's legacy includes the development of renowned luxury properties such as the Golden Nugget, Mirage, and Bellagio, not only in Las Vegas but also in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Wynn Macau in China.
Wynn Resorts Ltd., the company formerly led by Steve Wynn, faced its own consequences. In February 2019, they were forced to pay a staggering $20 million to the commission for their failure to adequately investigate the sexual misconduct claims made against him.
The troubles did not end there. Massachusetts gambling regulators imposed an additional $35 million fine on Wynn Resorts, along with a $500,000 penalty for the company's new CEO, Matthew Maddox. They were penalized for failing to disclose the sexual misconduct allegations when applying for a license for their Encore Boston Harbor resort.
Attempting to make amends, Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to pay $20 million in damages owed by Steve Wynn. Furthermore, insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts agreed to provide an additional $21 million to settle shareholder lawsuits. These lawsuits accused company directors of neglecting their duty to disclose allegations of misconduct.
As the lawsuits wind their way through the legal system, Steve Wynn's name will forever be associated with a trail of controversy and legal battles. Meanwhile, his former company continues to grapple with the fallout from these deeply troubling events.
Leave A Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *