Lawyers for Steve Wynn filed a 19-page legal reply against the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), arguing the governing body lacks the authority to impose action against individuals no longer licensed to carry out gaming operations.
The NGCB filed a complaint against Wynn in October that seeks to effectively ban Wynn from holding a state gaming license in response to sexual misconduct allegations against the casino mogul.
Wynn’s lawyers countered that Wynn isn’t under the jurisdiction of the NGCB’s rule.
The attorneys attacked the complaint on grounds of using present tense grammar.
The reply states: “The NGCB ducked Mr. Wynn’s argument that the statuses upon which the NGCB relies (and the related regulations) are all phrased in the present tense and, thus, do not extend disciplinary power over those who no longer have any involvement in Nevada’s gaming industry.”
Wynn resigned as CEO of Wynn Resorts in February 2018 following allegations of misconduct.
Earlier this year, the NGCB imposed a record $20m fine on Wynn Resorts for failing to properly address sexual misconduct claims against Wynn.
In April, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined resorts Wynn Resorts $35m as part of an arrangement for the company to keep its state gaming license and open the $2.6bn Encore Boston Harbor.
Last month, the company reached a $41m lawsuit settlement with shareholders. Wynn is
personally responsible for paying $20m of the settlement.