Steve Wynn’s bid to have a 2018 defamation case against the Associated Press (AP) and a reporter from Las Vegas overturned by the US Supreme Court was denied. The justices essentially upheld earlier court rulings when they refused to consider the former CEO of Wynn Resorts’ attempt to dispute the case.
The goal of Wynn’s legal team was to undermine the First Amendment safeguards put in place by the famous 1964 decision in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. This decision established a high bar for demonstrating public individuals’ defamation, requiring proof of genuine malice. According to specialists in Nevada media law, press freedoms might have been greatly damaged by a decision in Wynn’s favor.
Legal Arguments and Allegations
In a February 2025 filing, Wynn’s attorneys argued that many states, including Nevada, integrate the actual malice standard into their anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) statutes. These laws are designed to prevent frivolous lawsuits from stifling free speech. Under Nevada’s regulations, public figure plaintiffs must demonstrate actual malice and prove their case’s merits before entering pre-trial discovery.
The lawsuit stemmed from an AP report that detailed allegations from two women accusing Wynn of sexual misconduct. He denied the claims and argued that the report was defamatory. Despite his efforts to challenge the story, courts consistently ruled against him.
Wynn, now 83, stepped down as CEO of Wynn Resorts in February 2018. He also sold his company shares and gave up his gaming license following a Wall Street Journal article that described a “decades-long pattern” of alleged sexual misconduct. The fallout from the allegations led to significant scrutiny of Wynn and his leadership within the gaming industry.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, the case is effectively closed, reinforcing protections for journalists reporting on public figures. The ruling also upholds the high burden of proof required for defamation claims, ensuring the continuation of robust investigative reporting.
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