Resorts World Las Vegas Hit with RICO Lawsuit

Resorts World Las Vegas has again drawn scrutiny amidst allegations of a racketeering scheme and illegal bookmaking, adding to its history of controversies. The property is now the subject of a federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) lawsuit, which implicates several former executives, notably ex-president Scott Sibella and ex-vendor David Chesnoff. The detailed 95-page complaint was filed by high-stakes gambler Robert Cipriani and businessman James Russel, who assert that the former executives were involved in money laundering and witness tampering, among other serious charges. Cipriani, known for alerting authorities about potential money laundering in Nevada casinos, has become a central figure in the ongoing regulatory crackdowns.

The court documents reveal that Cipriani’s information previously led to investigations that uncovered numerous alleged RICO violations. These accusations extended to witnessing tampering and intimidating Cipriani, who had attempted to sue Resorts World in 2024. Although his lawsuit was ultimately unsuccessful, it did bring to light several anti-money laundering (AML) violations that resulted in a hefty $10.5 million fine and the ousting of multiple executives. Despite these regulatory actions, the current lawsuit argues that the core issues were never adequately

The court documents reveal that Cipriani’s information previously led to investigations that uncovered numerous alleged RICO violations. These accusations extended to witnessing tampering and intimidating Cipriani, who had attempted to sue Resorts World in 2024. Although his lawsuit was ultimately unsuccessful, it did bring to light several anti-money laundering (AML) violations that resulted in a hefty $10.5 million fine and the ousting of multiple executives. Despite these regulatory actions, the current lawsuit argues that the core issues were never adequately addressed, pointing to Sibella’s guilty plea in 2024 for failing to file a suspicious activity report during his tenure at MGM Grand as evidence of deeper compliance flaws.

Although Cipriani’s earlier legal avenues didn’t culminate in the courtroom victories he sought, they paved the way for regulators to impose fines and penalties on the casino. This lawsuit doesn’t merely rest on past grievances but underscores the continuous compliance gaps that both Cipriani and Russel claim still plague the institution. The gravity of the allegations, which include racketeering and illegal bookmaking, highlights an urgent need for reform within Resorts World Las Vegas. According to the plaintiffs, the alleged misconduct inflicted significant harm, both financially and reputationally, prompting them to seek damages