Scott Sibella, a former prime government at main Las Vegas casinos, has been sentenced to a 12 months of probation after pleading responsible to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Choose Dolly Gee, additionally consists of a advantageous of $9,500 and a $100 particular evaluation.
In January, Sibella pleaded responsible to contravening federal AML rules, which mandated the on line casino to report suspicious transactions. Sibella admitted to permitting an unlawful bookmaker to gamble thousands and thousands of {dollars} on the MGM Grand and settle money owed with money, The Related Press reported.
Choose Gee famous that Sibella “turned a blind eye” to doubtlessly unlawful habits however thought-about his cooperation with investigators and clear legal report when deciding towards jail time.
Earlier than the sentencing, Sibella apologized to his household, associates, and former employers, expressing regret and vowing to keep away from future authorized hassle.
Dealing with as much as 5 years in jail and a $250,000 advantageous, Sibella’s attorneys had advocated for probation, submitting over 80 letters of assist, together with one from Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
The MGM Grand and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, implicated within the case, settled associated fees stemming from a U.S. Justice Division cash laundering investigation by paying $7.45 million and agreeing to enhanced anti-money laundering measures.
Nevada on line casino regulators at the moment are individually deliberating potential penalties towards Sibella, together with revocation or suspension of his state playing license and fines as much as $750,000.
The unlawful bookmaker concerned in Sibella’s case, Wayne Nix, awaits sentencing after pleading responsible to unlawful playing actions and tax fraud. Based on Sibella’s plea settlement, he allowed Nix to gamble with proceeds from unlawful actions with out notifying the on line casino’s compliance division.
In a press release launched by his attorneys, Sibella accepted full duty for his actions and asserted that he gained no private, skilled, or monetary profit from his wrongdoing.
Sibella served as president and COO of MGM Grand for eight years earlier than main Resorts World Las Vegas till 2023. His dismissal from Resorts World in 2023 adopted allegations of coverage violations.
The case coincides with a broader Justice Division investigation into unlawful sports activities playing operations in Southern California laundering cash via Las Vegas casinos. Essentially the most notable case entails Ippei Mizuhara, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter.
