Everett’s Wynn casino project faces scrutiny after casino mogul Steve Wynn stepped down from his position on the Republican National Committee amid sexual misconduct allegations.
A Wall Street Journal report on Friday detailed dozens of stories from Wynn Reports employees who say Wynn himself “sexualized his workplace and pressured workers to perform sex acts.”
Though Wynn responded to the allegations saying, “The idea that I ever assaulted any woman is preposterous,” he resigned as finance chair of the Republican National Committee on Saturday, according to Politico.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission also announced following the allegations a review into Wynn Resorts to determine whether Wynn’s alleged behavior violates his company’s gaming license.
“The Commission is now aware of and is taking very seriously the troubling allegations detailed in the Wall Street Journal article,” a spokesperson for the gaming commission said in a statement. “The suitability and integrity of our gaming licensees is of the utmost importance, and ensuring that suitability is an active and ongoing process.”
“Consequently,” the statement continued, “the MGC’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau will conduct a regulatory review of this matter to determine the appropriate next steps.”
Gov. Charlie Baker thinks the investigation is the right move, saying, according to CBS, “I look forward to what they glean from this investigation.”
“The reports and the allegations associated with Steve Wynn were appalling,” Baker added on Sunday, CBS reported. “I’m really glad the Republican National Committee stepped back and he stepped down.”
The Everett Wynn casino is slated to open June 2019. Everett City Councilor Michael McLaughlin weighed in on the situation Sunday night as well, saying in a statement that the allegations were “deeply concerning” to him both as a city councilor and also because he was a vocal supporter of the Wynn Everett project.
While he does believe the company should be investigated, McLaughlin also said the project should move forward.
“Since the beginning, my support for Wynn in Everett stemmed from the job opportunities, economic growth, and development of the unusable contaminated land, all of which would positively impact our community and region for years to come,” he said. “I do not believe the thousands of people who this project will positively impact should be punished for one individual’s alleged behavior.”
“That being said, it is important we take these allegations seriously and allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to conduct a thorough investigation,” he added. “It is my highest priory that anyone living or working in our community is never subject to sexual harassment, under any circumstances. I have full faith in the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to come forward with an appropriate resolution which will not hinder the progress of the project but will simultaneously show zero tolerance for sexual misconduct in any capacity.”
