Two former employees of the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas have thrown down the gauntlet by suing their previous employer. Accused of embezzling millions, they argue that their termination was wrongful and cloak the allegations in falsehood and discrimination. Erendira Dominguez and Allison Lopez, who were integral members of the casino’s marketing team, contend that their dismissals were driven by erroneous accusations and biased behavior.
Former Aria Casino Workers Deny Theft Allegations, Sue Over Lost Jobs
In a lawsuit now being shuffled through the US District Court, Dominguez and Lopez allege that their decade-long roles at Aria, an MGM Resorts International property, were abruptly stripped away under dubious circumstances. According to The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Dominguez, who held the post of marketing coordinator, and Lopez, the marketing manager, had been loyal players since the casino’s inception in 2009. For the past two years, their duties revolved around booking hotel rooms for Las Vegas Golf Adventures (LVGA) at the behest of senior male executives.
However, in 2023, a new VP of national marketing entered the scene, casting a shadow of doubt over Lopez’s bookings. The court documents reveal that this executive began to probe into the legitimacy of Lopez’s actions. Suddenly, both women were under the magnifying glass, accused of siphoning off “millions of dollars” from the LVGA account. But with fervor and conviction, Dominguez and Lopez argue they had no access to move or withdraw funds from that account.
The stakes were raised in August 2023, when MGM Resorts suspended both women amid an internal probe. The cards seemed stacked against them; while Lopez continued to receive her salary for six weeks, Dominguez was left high and dry without pay during her suspension. Despite the intense scrutiny, the investigation hit a dead end, unable to pinpoint the missing money. Neither woman faced criminal charges, yet their reputations were tarnished.
Fired Aria Workers Accuse Casino of Racial Bias and Unjust Dismissal
The lawsuit further argues that the suspension and subsequent termination of Dominguez and Lopez were not just unjust but bore the mark of discrimination. They allege that male colleagues who were involved in overseeing them received far more lenient treatment. While one male executive conveniently transferred to another MGM property, another exited with a severance package. Conversely, Dominguez and Lopez were dealt a harsh hand, being terminated in December 2023.
Adding another layer to this complex legal game, Dominguez and Lopez insist that racial bias played a significant role in their dismissals. The lawsuit points out that, amid the investigation, they were the only ones placed on unpaid suspension, despite several male executives overseeing their activities. Both women, of Hispanic heritage, believe this fact can’t be deemed a mere coincidence.
Their professional lives lie in tatters, as they claim the incident has irrevocably damaged their reputation and shut the doors to the gaming industry. They seek restitution for lost wages, emotional anguish, damage to their professional standing, and punitive damages. Their hand in this high-stakes legal game now rests with a jury trial.
MGM Resorts remains tight-lipped about the ongoing case, keeping their cards close to their chest as the legal drama unfolds.
