Wynn Resorts files countersuit, says claims `patently false'
Casino giant Wynn Resorts has responded to a lawsuit accusing the company of arranging — and then breaking — a side deal for land in Everett with a lawsuit of their own.
The casino company said in their suit that Anthony Gattineri’s “conduct” with the land deal “is intentionally and maliciously designed to interfere with Wynn MA, LLC’s advantageous business relations with the Gaming Commission.”
In the original lawsuit, Gattineri alleged Robert DeSalvio, president of the now-named Encore Boston Harbor, agreed to pay him an extra $18 million in exchange for his approval of the deal, which the Gaming Commission capped at $35 million.
Gattineri sued in federal court last month, saying he never received the money DeSalvio allegedly promised him during a 2014 meeting in San Diego. Gattineri’s approval was necessary for the company to move forward in the casino license process, according to the lawsuit.
In its response to the lawsuit, Wynn Resorts acknowledged the San Diego meeting, but denied ever making a separate deal with Gattineri.
“The claims that Mr. Gattineri made are patently false and are designed to negatively impact our reputation with the public, and the gaming commission. We will continue to defend and protect ourselves from his outrageous allegations,” said Greg John, a spokesman for Encore Boston Harbor.
Stephen Gordon, an attorney for Gattineri, said he does not believe the counterclaim has any merit.
“They seem to be suggesting merely filing a lawsuit to enforce Mr. Gattineri’s contractual rights interferes with their relationship with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission,” Gordon said.