Former MGM Grand President Set to be Sentenced on Federal Criminal Charge

The former president of the MGM Grand casino in Las Vegas, Scott Sibella, is facing a federal criminal charge for failure to report millions of dollars in wagers by an illegal bookmaker at his casino. This scandal has brought to light serious allegations of misconduct and negligence on the part of both Sibella and the casino itself.

Sibella pleaded guilty to one count of failure to file reports of suspicious transactions required by casinos under the Bank Secrecy Act. Both his lawyers and prosecutors have requested probation for the 61-year-old Nevada resident. The sentencing follows a complaint filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board seeking a fine and action against Sibella’s gaming license.

The Department of Justice revealed that Sibella allowed former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix, who ran an illegal bookmaking business, to gamble at MGM Grand with proceeds from his illegal activities. Not only did Sibella turn a blind eye to Nix’s criminal behavior, but he also provided him with complimentary benefits to encourage his continued patronage of the casino and affiliated properties.

By 2020, MGM Grand had accepted over $4 million in cash that were proceeds from Nix’s illicit bookmaking business. As a result of these revelations, MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas agreed to settlements with the DOJ totaling $7.45 million. They also committed to enhancing their anti-money laundering compliance programs to prevent future violations.

Following his guilty plea, Sibella was terminated from his position as president of Resorts World casino. The Genting Group, which owns Resorts World, took swift action upon learning of the investigation into Sibella’s misconduct at his previous employer. As it stands, Sibella is currently unemployed and facing the consequences of his actions.

The sentencing of Scott Sibella marks a significant moment in the ongoing investigation into money laundering and compliance failures at MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the gaming industry, and the need for strict adherence to regulations to prevent criminal activities from infiltrating legitimate businesses.