A group of state lawmakers and municipal officials on Wednesday wrote to Gaming Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein, voicing "deep concern over the suitability of Wynn Resorts to maintain their gaming license" as the commission continues to probe the company's handling of sexual harassment and assault allegations against former CEO Steve Wynn.
"The Region A license is the most coveted license in an emerging industry in Massachusetts," the officials said in their letter. "The Commission must ensure that Wynn Resorts meets the highest standards of suitability, both at the time of the initial application and now, in order for them to maintain the license. The reports of sexual harassment and rape and the corporate culture that fostered and protected the behavior that left female workers vulnerable is of deep concern and cannot be easily cured."
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The letter is signed by Reps. Christine Barber and Denise Provost of Somerville, Rep. Kay Khan of Newton, Boston city councilors Andrea Campbell, Michelle Wu and Lydia Edwards, Somerville city councilors Katjana Ballantyne, Mary Jo Rossetti and Stephanie Hirsch, and Quincy City Councilor Nina Liang.
As the commission continues the adjudicatory hearing into Wynn's suitability to open its Everett casino, the councilors and representatives urged the commission to make sure any action it takes protects both "the benefits owed to surrounding communitites" and "the jobs that the casino has promised." They asked that the commission "use its full authority to ensure that public confidence is restored to the licensing process and that only a company that can meet the highest standards of ethics is deemed suitable."
Wynn Resorts has said anyone who knew about the allegations against Steve Wynn while it sought a Massachusetts casino license and did not report them has left the company.
