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When It Granted Casino License, Mass. Panel Was Not Aware Of Wynn's $7.5M Settlement

Casino mogul Steve Wynn speaks with the press about his casino project, formerly called Wynn Boston Harbor, in Everett, in a file photo.
Jesse Costa
/
WBUR
Casino mogul Steve Wynn speaks with the press about his casino project, now called Wynn Boston Harbor, in Everett, in a file photo.

The lead investigator for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission says allegations of sexual misconduct against casino magnate Steve Wynn did not surface when the panel was looking at his suitability for a gambling license in Everett.

The commission, which met publicly Wednesday, confirmed a Wall Street Journal report of a $7.5 million settlement with a manicurist who says Wynn demanded sex from her.

Karen Wells, investigations director for the gaming commission, said that agreement was not disclosed by the company that holds the license, or by any of the people involved, including Wynn, until after the article was released.

"There were no court documents filed that could have been identified in the course of the investigation," Wells said. "This was a private agreement and steps were taken to keep it from the public domain."

Wells said the commission will look into the allegations against Steve Wynn as an individual qualifier, and will explore what information was known by other people involved with the license.

Commission Chair Steven Crosby said a thorough investigation into the allegations detailed in the Journal is necessary, because so many people are affected.

"From the lives of the women allegedly abused, to the lives of the men and women in Everett who are now working on this project, to the lives of senior executives and board members of Wynn Resorts, we will get this right," Crosby said, "and we will get it right as quickly as we can."

Wynn Resorts is building a $2.4 billion casino in Everett that's scheduled to open in 2019.

This report was originally published by WBUR.

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