Ex-employees say casino managers enabled Steve Wynn's alleged sexual misconduct for years
Several former employees of properties owned by Steve Wynn told The Wall Street Journal that executives and supervisors protected the casino magnate and enabled his alleged sexual misconduct for decades.
In January, the Journal reported allegations of sexual harassment against Wynn, and he ultimately resigned as chief executive of Wynn Resorts and finance chairman of the Republican National Committee. Dozens of additional former employees have since gone on the record, telling the Journal about either alleged first-hand incidents involving Wynn or complaints that they forwarded along to supervisors and executives, which were ignored.
Jorgen Nielsen, who in the mid-2000s was artistic director of the salon at the Wynn in Las Vegas, said it was made clear that any complaints about Wynn should be taken directly to Doreen Whennen, the vice president of hotel operations at the time, or Marc Schorr, then-chief operating officer. Nielsen said he told Whennen of several accusations that salon employees had made against Wynn, and at times she told him to look in their files to see if there was any information that could be used to get the women fired. "It was always the person's fault," Nielsen said. "Nobody really looked into it." Whennen's attorney did not comment to the Journal.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A former manicurist at the salon told the Journal that Wynn would rub his leg against hers, and a former masseuse alleged that he indicated during sessions that she should massage his genitals, with both saying nothing was done when they complained. For more on the accusations, including one from a former employee of The Mirage who said she was threatened after being sexually assaulted by Wynn in the 1990s, and the response from management, visit The Wall Street Journal.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in Russia
Speed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sri Lanka's new Marxist leader wins huge majority
Speed Read The left-leaning coalition of newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won 159 of the legislature's 225 seats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden arrives in Peru for final summits
Speed Read President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, visit the Amazon rainforest and attend two major international summits
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate GOP selects Thune, House GOP keeps Johnson
Speed Read John Thune will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson will remain House speaker in Congress
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tests GOP loyalty with Gaetz, Gabbard picks
Speed Read He named Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Both have little experience in their proposed jurisdictions.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published