Massachusetts Gaming Commission chairman resigns during ongoing Wynn Resorts Investigation
Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, resigned on September 26, 2018, after he was accused of being bias in the commission’s ongoing inquiry into Wynn Resorts.
The five-member panel is investigating Wynn Resort’s response and management of sexual misconduct allegations against former and CEO founder of the resort, Steve Wynn, which came to light earlier this year. The commission has reported that one of the accusers was offered a settlement worth $7.5 million, and this was withheld from officials during a background check conducted before the company received its casino license.
In a letter addressed to his fellow commissioners, Crosby wrote that he was stepping down from his post effective immediately as Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun have both accused him of being bias by prejudging the investigation, which is now in its last few stages. Even though he denied these allegations, he decided to step down as he did not his involvement to compromise the results of the investigation in any way.
He added that he was resigning with a “profound sense of sadness, regret and frustration” so that other commissioners can get their work done without any distractions. Crosby also said that he cannot let others use his involvement with the investigation to hamper the entire commission’s work, nor can he allow it to shake the confidence of the public in any manner.
Charlie Baker, the Republican governor, said in a statement that he respected this decision, adding that the commission should carefully review all these “troubling allegations” against the giant operator.
Both Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun accuse Crosby of prejudging inquiry
Steve Wynn, who has denied all the allegations against him, sent a letter to the commission through his lawyer last week, claiming that Crosby made comments in the presence of reporters which suggest that he had already come to a conclusion about the allegations against him.
In addition, Mohegan Sun’s lawyer also sent a letter accusing Crosby of being biased by favoring Wynn in the inquiry. The Connecticut-based casino operator, along with the Boston horse racing track operators, where Mohegan Sun had planned to build a casino, have both filed lawsuits against Wynn Resorts, challenging its license.
The results of the commission’s inquiry could have a serious impact on the $2 billion waterfront resort, Encore Boston Harbor, which Wynn plans to open across the Mystic River next summer.
