Undisclosed settlement reached
A sexual harassment lawsuit filed by nine women against casino company Wynn Resorts has finally reached a settlement, according to US District Court documents.
allegations of sexual abuse against former Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn
The 2019 sexual harassment lawsuit includes allegations of sexual abuse against former Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn. He resigned from his position at the company the previous year after a Wall Street Journal article made the claims public.
In a settlement notice filed Tuesday, four years after the case was initially brought forward, attorneys for Wynn Resorts said an undisclosed settlement had been reached. The value of that settlement is still not public.
Judy Does 1-9
According to the suit, the nine women, who worked as manicurists or makeup artists at the Wynn Salon or Encore Salon, allege the now-81-year-old Wynn forced them to massage him near his genital area. They claim he made them provide services in secluded locations, including his office.
While the lawsuit was going on, the women continued to work at both salons. However, in order to avoid being ostracized at work they chose to be referred to in the case as Judy Does numbered 1-9.
Wynn has asserted he never harassed or sexually assaulted anyone
Since the start of the lawsuit, Wynn has asserted he never harassed or sexually assaulted anyone.
US District Judge James Mahan initially heard the case filed in March 2019. In July 2020, Mahan forwarded the case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as he believed the women’s pleadings were too vague. In October 2021, the findings were part affirmed, but part reversed. The case was sent back to the District Court where it was reassigned to US District Court Judge Gloria Navarro.
The settlement now brings an end to those extended court proceedings.
The downfall of Wynn
In February of 2018, Steve Wynn resigned as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts.
After the sexual harassment allegations came to light, Wynn found himself under fire from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGC) who filed a five-count complaint that questioned the business mogul’s right to hold a gaming license.
In July, Wynn reached a deal with the NGC, agreeing to pay a $10m settlement and permanently cut ties with Nevada’s gaming industry. He can still retain ownership of less than 5% of a licensed gaming company, just not in the state of Nevada.
Wynn also had a federal lawsuit filed against him for the alleged lobbying of China last year.