In a surprising turn of events, the US appeals court has ruled against reviving a foreign agent case against renowned casino mogul Steve Wynn. The decision, which was handed down by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, marks a significant victory for Wynn and his legal team in the long-running legal battle.
The case dates back to 2014 when a former employee of Wynn Resorts, Japanese businessman Kazuo Okada, filed a lawsuit accusing Wynn of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by allegedly bribing officials in Macau to secure a casino license. Okada, who was once a close friend and business partner of Wynn, claimed that Wynn had engaged in illegal activities that ultimately led to his ousting from the company.
Wynn has vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. In 2018, a federal judge dismissed Okada’s lawsuit, ruling that there was not enough evidence to support his claims. However, Okada appealed the decision, leading to the recent ruling by the appeals court.
In their decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the district court’s original ruling, stating that Okada had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that Wynn had acted as a foreign agent. The court also noted that Okada’s claims were time-barred under the statute of limitations, further weakening his case.
Wynn and his legal team have expressed relief and satisfaction with the court’s decision, with Wynn releasing a statement saying, “I am pleased that the court has once again confirmed what I have known all along – that these baseless accusations against me are completely without merit.”
Despite this legal victory, Wynn’s troubles are far from over. The casino mogul is currently embroiled in several other legal battles, including a separate lawsuit filed by former employees accusing him of sexual misconduct. However, this latest ruling will undoubtedly give Wynn and his legal team a much-needed boost as they continue to fight against these allegations.
It remains to be seen how this ruling will impact Wynn’s future in the gaming industry, but for now, he can bask in the glow of this legal triumph. The case against him may be closed, but the story of Steve Wynn and his legal battles is far from over.