Steve Wynn Created a Separate Company to Secretly Pay His Accuser

Steve Wynn, the former Republican National Committee Finance Chair and billionaire CEO of Wynn Resorts accused of serially harassing female employees, paid out nearly $8 million in a secret settlement—and the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that it came from a limited liability company exclusively created to help conceal that payment.

The company, Entity Y, was created in 2005, shortly after a manicurist at Wynn’s Las Vegas hotel accused him of forcing her to have sex with him. The Journal confirmed the purpose of the company via Nevada court records and transcripts, some of which include testimony from a Wynn Resorts lawyer.

The newspaper, which first broke news about the alleged assault (and apparent toxic work culture at Wynn properties) late last month, noted that Wynn’s behavior has since come under regulatory scrutiny:

Regulators in Massachusetts, who are investigating the allegations and who have the power to revoke the company’s license there if they determine Mr. Wynn isn’t a “suitable” casino operator, said last week that the settlement and any efforts to conceal it from regulators are a “critical element” of their review.

Wynn has maintained since the Wall Street Journal’s January report—which was based on interviews conducted with about 150 current and former employees—that he has never assaulted any women, and that the accusations were fabricated by his ex-wife.