In a recent decision that has sent shockwaves through the legal and business communities, the US appeals court has refused to revive a high-profile foreign agent case against casino mogul Steve Wynn. The ruling, which was handed down by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, represents a major victory for Wynn and his legal team, who have been embroiled in a lengthy and contentious legal battle over allegations that the casino magnate acted as an unregistered agent on behalf of the Chinese government.
The case, which dates back to 2017, originally stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a former employee of Wynn Resorts who claimed that Wynn had engaged in various activities on behalf of the Chinese government, including lobbying US officials on behalf of Beijing. The lawsuit alleged that Wynn had failed to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a federal law that requires individuals who act on behalf of foreign governments to disclose their activities to the US government.
Wynn and his legal team vehemently denied the allegations, arguing that the casino mogul had simply been exercising his First Amendment rights to engage in political speech and advocacy. They also contended that Wynn had not acted as an agent of the Chinese government and had therefore not violated FARA. Despite these arguments, a lower court initially ruled in favor of the plaintiff, leading Wynn to appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit.
In its ruling, the appeals court concluded that the plaintiff had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the claims that Wynn had acted as a foreign agent. The court also determined that Wynn’s activities did not meet the legal definition of “agency” under FARA, as he had not engaged in any activities on behalf of a foreign government that would require registration under the law.
The decision to dismiss the case represents a significant victory for Wynn and his legal team, who have maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. In a statement following the ruling, Wynn expressed his relief and gratitude for the court’s decision, stating that he had always been confident that the truth would prevail.
The ruling has also sparked debate among legal experts and commentators, many of whom have questioned the broader implications of the court’s decision for the enforcement of FARA and other laws governing foreign influence in the United States. Some have argued that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for individuals who engage in political advocacy on behalf of foreign governments, potentially enabling them to evade registration requirements and oversight by US authorities.
As the legal and political fallout from the case continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the decision by the US appeals court to dismiss the foreign agent case against Steve Wynn has far-reaching implications for the future of FARA enforcement and the regulation of foreign influence in the United States. It remains to be seen how this landmark ruling will shape the landscape of political advocacy and influence in the years to come.