Manicurist accuses Steve Wynn of sexual misconduct suit

She said she reported Wynn’s behaviour to Claude Baruk, managing director of the salons at the company’s two casino-resorts in Las Vegas, but was ignored or casually dismissed. She alleges she also reported it to her supervisor and upper management and “was told the conduct would be stopped.”

However, the lawsuit alleges Wynn Resorts’ management later indicated to her that the complaints “had been taken to the highest levels” of the company and that “nothing would be done to change (Wynn’s) behaviour.”

Last week, two massage therapists sued Wynn accusing him of using his power to coerce them into sexual acts. The lawsuits and police reports accusing Wynn of sexual misconduct came after the Wall Street Journal reported in January that a number of women said he harassed or assaulted them and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement with a manicurist.

Wynn has vehemently denied the accusations the newspaper reported and attributed them to a campaign led by his ex-wife, whose attorney has denied that she instigated the news story.

The manicurist’s lawsuit describes some of the actions Wynn allegedly took in the days after the newspaper story was published. It states that on Jan. 31, Wynn demanded in front of Wynn Resorts’ executives and all employees of the salon that “anyone who had ever felt assaulted or abused to raise their hand.” The manicurist says no hands went up.

The next day, according to the document, Wynn showed up with audio-visual personnel during a celebration for a salon staffer and demanded that all employees record a video stating he had never assaulted them.

The lawsuit claims Wynn “continues to make appointments and receive manicures, pedicures and salon services” with the full knowledge and permission of Baruk, the company and its board of directors.

A communications firm that previously claimed to represent Wynn did not return a call from The Associated Press on Tuesday. Wynn Resorts spokesman Michael Weaver said Wynn “no longer uses spa or salon services” at the company’s Wynn and Encore casino-resorts. He declined to comment further on the lawsuit.

Legal experts have said lawsuits likely will continue to be filed. In addition to the lawsuits from the manicurist and massage therapists, groups of shareholders have sued Wynn and the board of directors of Wynn Resorts accusing them of breaching their fiduciary duties.

Wynn Resorts is also facing scrutiny by gambling regulators in Nevada and Massachusetts, where the company is building a roughly $2.4 billion casino just outside Boston. Regulators in Macau, the Chinese enclave where the company operates two casinos, are also inquiring about the allegations.

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Follow Regina Garcia Cano on Twitter at https://twitter.com/reginagarciakNO

Regina Garcia Cano, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Manicurist accuses Steve Wynn of sexual misconduct suit

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