Wynn Resorts has revealed that it will pay an undisclosed fine to settle after the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed disciplinary action against the global gaming giant on Monday over a series of sexual misconduct complaints against founder and former Chairman Steve Wynn.
The action refers to complaints against Steve Wynn by seven female employees who worked for the company as cocktail waitresses, flight attendants or therapists at Encore Spa and Wynn Salon between 2005 and 2016.
The NGCB’s findings include multiple instances where Wynn Resorts “did not conduct a timely investigation” into allegations and where specific executives “failed to initiate and/or conduct an investigation after obtaining knowledge of allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr Wynn as required by the respondents’ policies and procedures.”
Steve Wynn was later revealed to have paid a US$7.5 million settlement to one employee who fell pregnant after alleging she was raped by him in 2005, while a second employee was paid a US$975,000 settlement in 2006 for allegedly being pressured into sex.
In a filing with the SEC overnight, Wynn Resorts described the NGCB’s findings as “an important remedial step” and said it looked forward to reviewing the settlement in order to reach a final resolution.
“Upon learning of the extent of the allegations, the new leadership of Wynn Resorts took immediate actions to ensure an open and safe work environment for all employees and made dramatic changes at every level of key decision-making in the company,” Wynn Resorts said.
“As an example, any employee mentioned in the NGCB report who was aware of allegations of sexual assault against the company’s former chairman and did not investigate or report it is no longer with the company.
“We have undergone an extensive self-examination over the last 12 months, intended to reinvigorate and implement meaningful change across all levels of the organization, cultivate a safe, healthy and supportive workplace culture, and build on our core values of respecting our employees, corporate responsibility and citizenship, and service to the community.”
The Wynn Resorts board has undergone a raft of changes over the 12 months, including the appointment of former Harrah’s CEO Phil Satre as Chairman and introduction of new female board members.
Steve Wynn stepped down from the board shortly after sexual misconduct allegations first emerged early last year and later sold off his entire 12.1% stake in the company.
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