A judge in the United States has temporarily blocked the release of a Massachusetts Gaming Commission report about allegations of sexual misconduct made against former casino entrepreneur Steve Wynn, the Associated Press reports, citing an official of a court in Las Vegas.
The news agency quotes clerk of court Dan Kutinac as saying Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez told lawyers she would hear arguments about whether the report contained information and documents that Mr Wynn’s counsel say are protected by rules about the confidentiality of what lawyers and their clients tell each other.
The Associated Press report said lawyers for, respectively, Mr Wynn, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and its investigator, Karen Wells, did not immediately respond to messages from the agency seeking comment. A date for the hearing has yet to be set.
On November 7, Mr Wynn sued in the state of Nevada to have the release of the gaming commission report blocked. The report was due to be released next month. The report’s content is said to include opinion on whether he engaged in sexual misconduct against women employees when he headed U.S. casino operator Wynn Resorts Ltd.
Mr Wynn’s counsel argued that giving materials to Ms Wells would be a “grave breach” of their client’s rights to privacy. Mr Wynn’s lawsuit alleged breach of contract and violation of fiduciary duty, among other things. It sought a permanent ban on the release of the report.
Mr Wynn resigned as chief executive and chairman of Wynn Resorts in February, weeks after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. He denies the allegations.
The gambling regulator in Massachusetts launched an investigation to determine whether the company is worthy of a licence for a US$2-billion casino and hotel due to open near Boston next year. Mr Wynn’s name has been removed from the project. It is now called Encore Boston Harbor.
Lawyers for the state of Massachusetts and the gaming commission there argued that a judge in Nevada had no jurisdiction over the regulator in Massachusetts.
The Associated Press quoted the state’s lawyers as telling the court in writing that protracted legal arguments would “almost certainly result in a delay in opening” Encore Boston Harbor, in turn delaying 4,500 full-time job opportunities.”
