3 Charged With Lying About Wynn Resorts Casino Land In Everett
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Federal and state grand juries have indicted three owners of the waterfront land that Wynn Resorts plans to develop into a $1.6 billion resort casino.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Boston alleges Charles Lightbody, Dustin DeNunzio and Anthony Gattineri defrauded the Las Vegas casino giant by concealing Lightbody's role in the deal.
The 54-year-old Revere resident is a convicted felon and reputed New England mafia associate.
The three are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aiding and abetting. Prosecutors said a state grand jury also charged the three with impeding a gaming investigation, conspiracy and tampering with evidence.
Lightbody's attorney Tim Flaherty said the indictment is based on "speculation and conjecture" and Lightbody "steadfastly professes his innocence."
It's not clear who represents the others.
Wynn Resorts won the lucrative Boston-area casino license in September.
Keller @ Large: Casino Opponents Hit Jackpot After Indictments
"From the start of this process, I have been up front about my serious concerns related to the Everett parcel. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission and their investigatory body clearly failed the people of Boston and of the Commonwealth by allowing -- even remotely -- the taint of corruption to be associated with this land transaction," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a statement Thursday.
The Gaming Commission issued a statement as well, saying the "indictments send a loud message that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will take every measure necessary to preserve the integrity of the gaming industry while also remaining focused on maximizing the benefits of job creation and increased revenue to the Commonwealth."
The commission said the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau "conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the suitability of Wynn MA LLC."
Federal prosecutors said the men held a financial interest in FBT Everett Realty LLC, which held title to the proposed casino land, but claimed that Lightbody transferred his interest to Gattineri for a $1.7 million promissory note. Prosecutors alleged they created fraudulent documents to support their story, and sent Wynn Resorts an email falsely saying that DeNunzio, Gattineri and a third person were the only ones with a financial interest. Prosecutors said that DeNunzio, Gattineri and Lightbody also misled investigators for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission about Lightbody's interest.
The state indictment includes similar allegations and also charges Lightbody with assaulting a man during a casino election rally in Revere in October 2013. The three will be arraigned on the state charges at a later date.
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