The Harvey Weinstein of the gambling world

An American court has revived the sexual harassment case against billionaire and founder of several Las Vegas casino resorts Steve Wynn.

In March 2019 eight employees of the Wynn Las Vegas complex sued Steve Wynn, alleging sexual harassment by the company owner. In July 2020 the court dismissed the suit due to insufficient evidence of the billionaire’s guilt. Wynn denied all the accusations at the time, but stepped down as chairman and chief executive of his company.

Recently the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals revived the sexual harassment case after the plaintiffs said they had asked the court to keep their identities anonymous because they feared potential retaliatory lawsuits from Wynn. The women also feared the “destructive impact” that excessive publicity could have on their lives. A representative of the group of plaintiffs, Kathleen England, said her clients will amend their complaints in accordance with the court’s new instructions.

Recall that in 2018 the lawyer for one of the Wynn Las Vegas showgirls, who accused Steve Wynn of indecent behavior, Lisa Bloom claimed that the company owner used to come to watch rehearsals and forced the women to wear high-heeled shoes.

Wynn issued a denial and sued Bloom for defamation. His main argument was that he is officially recognized as blind – the billionaire suffers from a rare genetic disease that leads to degeneration of the retina. Wynn’s lawyers told the court that even if he had wanted to, he would have been unable to make out undressed dancers.