Court hearing set on Massachusetts’ bid to dismiss Steve Wynn complaint
A hearing has been set March 4 to dismiss a complaint by former Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission investigator leading the state’s review of allegations of sexual harassment at the Las Vegas resort.
Attorneys for Karen Wells filed the motion this month in Clark County District Court. Arguments will be heard by Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez. Wells was sued individually and in her official capacity as lead investigator in the commission’s review of the suitability of Wynn Resorts to hold a gaming license in Massachusetts.
Wynn Resorts is building the $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, near Boston and is planning to open the resort on the Mystic River in June.
The investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Wynn began in early 2018 after numerous media reports said Wynn harassed several female Wynn employees. Wynn denies the allegations.
As the investigation progressed into fall, the commission announced that an adjudicatory hearing would be conducted to determine when Wynn Resorts executives became aware of the harassment allegations and to determine if the company was still suitable to hold a gaming license in the state.
Steve Wynn filed his lawsuit against Wells, the commission and his former company in November. Wynn maintains that information Wells gathered for her report related to the investigation used privileged attorney-client communications.
Attorneys for Wynn Resorts have already submitted redacted versions of their conversations with investigators for the judge’s review.
“Regarding the Nevada litigation, I can advise the commission that as requested by the judge in the case, the parties are continuing to work on an order for submission to the judge for her review consistent with the judge’s direction,” said Catherine Blue, the commission’s general counsel. “We are still within the time allotted to supply that order to the judge.”
Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Becky Harris, nearing her last day on the board, had no updates Thursday on the status of Nevada’s investigation into Steve Wynn and his former company.
The company could be punished in Nevada if it’s determined that actions by the company damaged the state’s reputation.
The Massachusetts commission agreed Thursday to cancel a closed session that had been scheduled to update commissioners about legal strategy in its defense against Steve Wynn. Commissioners agreed Thursday that it would be better to hold this session after its new chairwoman, Cathy Judd-Stein, is seated. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appointed Judd-Stein to the post on Jan. 15. She’s expected to conduct the commission’s next meeting in February.
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.