Massachusetts

Court: Suit Challenging Wynn Casino Decision Should Proceed

Massachusetts' highest court has ruled a lawsuit challenging Wynn's gambling license can move forward.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Friday concluded a lower court should consider whether the state Gaming Commission violated the open meetings law as it deliberated the Boston-area casino license. It ultimately picked Wynn over Mohegan Sun in 2014.

The court said such a violation could nullify actions taken at the meetings, or result in civil penalties or other legal remedies.

The court also affirmed Mohegan Sun is entitled to some form of judicial review but not the city of Revere or a local labor union, which had also challenged the Wynn decision.

The commission says its licensing process was "comprehensive, fair and highly transparent" and will be "vigorously" defended in court.

A Wynn Resorts spokesperson said Friday's decision "has no impact on our contruction" and that the casino is still slated to open June 2019.

In a statement, Mohegan Sun said, "This decision affirms our belief that the licensing process was flawed, and the decisions of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission are not immune from further review."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us