Release of Steve Wynn documents in Massachusetts blocked for now

A judge has temporarily blocked the planned release of a Massachusetts Gaming Commission report about allegations of sexual misconduct against former casino mogul Steve Wynn, a court official in Las Vegas said Monday.

Clark County District Court Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez told attorneys she will hear arguments about whether the report contains confidential information and documents that Wynn attorneys say are protected by attorney-client privilege, court clerk Dan Kutinac said.

Attorneys for Wynn, the gambling commission and its investigator, Karen Wells, did not immediately respond to messages.

A hearing date has yet to be scheduled.

Wynn sued Nov. 7 in Nevada state court to block the planned release next month of the gambling commission report about whether he engaged in sexual misconduct with female employees while he headed Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts.

His lawyers argue that materials provided to Wells represent a “grave breach” of Wynn’s privacy rights. His civil lawsuit alleges breach of contract and violation of fiduciary duty among several other claims. It seeks a permanent ban on the release of the report.

Wynn resigned as chief executive and chairman in February, weeks after sexual misconduct claims were made against him. He denies the allegations.

Gambling regulators in Massachusetts began their probe to determine whether his company is suitable to hold a gambling license for a $2 billion casino and hotel due to open near Boston next year.

Wynn’s name has been removed from the project. It is now called Encore Boston Harbor.

Attorneys for the commonwealth and the commission argue that a Nevada judge lacks jurisdiction to decide if regulators in Massachusetts are properly exercising oversight.

Protracted legal arguments, they said in a court filing last Friday, “will almost certainly result in a delay in opening the gaming establishment, in turn delaying 4,500 full-time job opportunities, and depriving (Massachusetts) of millions of dollars in tax revenue every month.”