The head of investigations for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said Wednesday they were unaware of a $7.5 million settlement reported by the Wall Street Journal as part of the newspaper's look into alleged sexual misconduct by casino mogul Steve Wynn. Watch video
The head of investigations for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said Wednesday they were unaware of a $7.5 million settlement reported by the Wall Street Journal as part of the newspaper's look into alleged sexual misconduct by casino mogul Steve Wynn.
Karen Wells, the head of the commission's investigations and enforcement bureau, said she spoke with the commission's investigators who in 2013 reviewed whether Wynn met the suitability requirements for the lone eastern Massachusetts casino license.
The lead investigator and the Massachusetts State Police detective confirmed that they allegations and settlement agreement were not disclosed before Friday's Wall Street Journal report, and Wynn's legal counsel corroborated that, Wells said.
The settlement was not disclosed on advice of Wynn Resorts' counsel, and was not part of court action or litigation, according to Wells.
"This was a private agreement and steps were taken to keep it from the public domain," Wells told commissioners at a meeting in Boston as part of an update on investigators' review of Wynn, launched after the Wall Street Journal report.
"The circumstances around this $7.5 million settlement and the decision not to disclose it to investigators remain a critical element of this review," she added in her remarks.
Members of Gaming Commission said they were disturbed the allegations and asked investigators to move with speed and accuracy in their review.
Gaming Commissioner Cameron said the agency will be watching how the Wynn Resorts board of directors handles the situation while the commission works on its own investigation to verify the allegations.
Wynn won the Massachusetts casino license in 2014 and is building a $2.4 billion gambling facility, called Wynn Boston Harbor, on the Mystic River just outside of Boston.
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