Republican Party finance chairman Steve Wynn has stepped down after allegations that he routinely took advantage of his employees. US President Donald Trump has called the casino mogul a "great friend."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/C. Krupa
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Las Vegas casino billionaire Steve Wynn resigned on Saturday as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee after allegations of decades of sexual misconduct emerged over the weekend.
Several women who worked for Wynn accused him of making unwanted sexual advances and abusing his power to pressure them into performing sexual favors, according to local media reports.
A manicurist said Wynn forced her to have sex in 2005 despite telling him she did not want to and was married. He later paid her $7.5 million (€6 million) in a settlement.
A former massage therapist said Wynn instructed her to perform sexual favors during sessions, adding that she felt compelled to comply since he was her boss.
Other women relayed similar stories, saying Wynn used his power to manipulate employees into performing sexual favors.
Wynn has denied the allegations, saying the "idea that I ever assaulted any woman is preposterous."
Wynn is the owner of Wynn Resorts, which owns casinos in Las Vegas and MacauImage: picture-alliance/AP Photo/J. Locher
Wynn's statement
The Las Vegas casino mogul denied the accusations that he engaged in sexual misconduct, saying: "We find ourselves in a world where people can make allegations, regardless of the truth, and a person is left with the choice of weathering insulting publicity or engaging in multi-year lawsuits."
Wynn has accused his ex-wife of fomenting the allegations, saying: "The instigation of these accusations is the continued work of my ex-wife, Elaine Wynn, with who I am involved in a terrible and nasty lawsuit in which she is seeking a revised divorce settlement."
However, the avid Trump backer said that he did not want the allegation to distract from the Republican Party's agenda: "The work we are doing to make America a better place is too important to be impaired by this distraction."
High-profile sexual misconduct cases in the US
Since The New York Times published allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, many other prominent US men have faced harassment allegations. DW looks at some high-profile cases.
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The case that sparked a global debate
Harvey Weinstein has been accused by dozens of women of sexual harassment or sexual assaults, including rape. Under investigation by police departments in New York, London, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, Weinstein denies all allegations of non-consensual sex, but apologized for causing "a lot of pain." The case prompted many other women to come forward.
Image: Reuters/A. Kelly
Media men in glass houses
PBS and CBS host Charlie Rose is accused by several women of unwanted sexual advances, walking naked in front of them or making lewd phone calls. He has apologized for his behavior but questioned the accuracy of some of the allegations. Meanwhile, Journalist Mark Halperin is accused of harassing about 12 women while at ABC News.
Image: Reuters/C. Allegri
Politicians from the Republican party...
US Senate candidate Roy Moore, a Republican from Alabama, is accused of sexually assaulting two teenagers and pursuing relationships with several others decades ago, when he was in his 30s. He has denied the allegations. Former President George H.W. Bush was accused of patting seven women below the waist. The 93-year-old has issued apologies through a spokesman "to anyone he has offended."
Image: Getty Images/W. Frazer
...and the Democrats
A senior figure in the US Democratic party, Minnesota Senator Al Franken is accused of forcibly kissing radio personality Leeann Tweeden and groping her while she slept during a 2006 tour to Afghanistan to entertain US troops. The former comedian who became a senator in 2009 has apologized, saying he felt "disgusted" with himself.
Image: picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com
Sexual misconduct in sports
Ex-USA gymnastics team doctor Lawrence "Larry" Nassar is accused of abusing over 100 female athletes. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct and could face 25 years in prison. Three of his victims were under 13 years old. Israeli IOC member Alex Gilady is accused by two women of rape and by two others of inappropriate conduct. He denies the rape accusations.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P.Sancya
Hollywood stars under scrutiny
Actor Kevin Spacey has been accused by at least 24 men of sexual misconduct or assault. London police are investigating two sexual assaults and he was fired from "House of Cards." Dustin Hoffman is accused by a woman of harassing her when she was 17. He has apologized for his behavior. Writer-director James Toback is accused by hundreds of women of sexual harassment. He denies the allegations.
Image: Reuters/M. Anzuoni
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How close is Wynn to Trump: During a campaign rally in 2016, Trump described Wynn as a "great friend of mine," adding that "his advice, I like to listen to, I'll be honest with you." Trump reportedly signed off on Wynn's resignation.
What did Wynn do for the Republican Party: Wynn was the Republican National Committee finance chair, which means he was tasked with increasing financial support for the party and its causes.
What happens next: Wynn Resorts' board of directors on Friday formed a special committee charged with investigating the allegations, according to the Wall Street Journal. The investigative committee is headed by Patricia Mulroy, an ex-member of the Nevada Gaming Commission who serves on the Wynn Resorts board's corporate governance and compliance committees.
