Former Strip executive Scott Sibella has been sentenced to probation for a year, along with a $9,500 fine, after pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles. Sibella, who formerly served as president of MGM Grand Las Vegas and Resorts World, admitted to authorizing casino marketing representatives to allow Wayne Nix, an illegal bookmaker, to gamble millions of dollars at the casino and settle his debts in cash, despite having suspicions about the source of Nix’s funds.
In a statement provided by his attorneys, Sibella expressed regret for his actions and accepted full responsibility. He emphasized that he gained no personal, professional, or financial benefit from the situation. Sibella’s attorneys highlighted that the sentence aligns with his plea agreement and took into account various factors, including his personal history and the support he received.
Sibella’s guilty plea was related to a failure to file a suspicious activity report (SAR) at MGM Resorts in 2017. The sentencing also raises questions about potential charges against other current and former employees of the company. Additionally, Sibella faces penalties from Nevada gaming regulators through a three-count complaint filed by the Gaming Control Board.
Support letters submitted to the judge, including one from Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, portrayed Sibella as an individual whose character was not indicative of the accusations against him. Despite this one mistake, supporters argue that Sibella’s long-standing dedication to Las Vegas should not be overshadowed.
Sibella, who served as president of MGM Grand for eight years before joining Resorts World Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in January to violating federal anti-money laundering compliance programs. The investigation also resulted in fines for MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Cosmopolitan.
According to law enforcement documents, Sibella admitted to being aware of Nix’s involvement in bookmaking but chose not to delve into the matter due to his position and the prevalence of such activities in the industry.
Sibella’s plea is connected to an ongoing federal investigation into illegal bookmaking activities.
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