Federal Criminal Trial Over Wynn's Casino Land In Massachusetts UnderwayGovernment Alleges Fraud In Sale Of Casino Land |
|
A federal criminal trial involving the land Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn purchased to build a $2 billion casino just outside Boston is getting underway this week.
Wynn bought the land for $35 million, which was much lower than the original price of $75 million, after it was revealed that one of the men who had a stake in the 33-acre plot of land has a criminal record and allegedly has mob connections.
The government alleges that land owners Dustin DeNunzio, Anthony Gattineri and Charles Lightbody illegally tried to hide Lightbody’s ownership. As Forbes pointed out, Lightbody owning the land wasn’t illegal, but having a convicted felon involved in the sale would have been an issue with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Massachusetts casino law, which was passed in 2011, does say convicted felons can’t profit from gambling businesses.
The defense for DeNunzio, Gattineri and Lightbody said that Lightbody’s ownership stake was bought out lawfully before the sale to Wynn and that no fraud took place.
The trial is expected to last over two weeks and Wynn could be used as a prosecution witness. The outcome of the case isn’t expected to affect Wynn’s casino project.
Last month, Wynn revealed that the casino, which will sit on waterfront land in Everett that was once home to a Monsanto chemical site, will be called Wynn Boston Harbor.
The project will have a hearing in June to possibly remove its last hurdle. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will consider the city of Somerville’s challenge to Wynn’s permit. Somerville is trying to block the casino due to traffic and environmental concerns. Construction is currently on hold, pending the dispute.
Image via Pixabay.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
