Scott Sibella, a previous executive of notable casino establishments, has been given a sentence due to his prior misdemeanors in the realm of anti-money laundering. This action is subsequent to the confirmation of his guilt in January, while serving as the COO and president of Resorts World.
The aforementioned misdemeanors were enacted between August 2017 and February 2019. At that juncture, Sibella was under the employ of MGM Grand Las Vegas. His plea states that Sibella did not report the dubious transactions of Wayne Nix, a retired minor-league baseball player.
It was Sibella’s claim that he was not privy to the source of Nix’s gambling funds. Nevertheless, he knew about Nix’s unlawful sports betting venture. By neglecting to report the questionable transactions of Nix, Sibella was in breach of the federal Bank Secrecy Act.
Two mitigating factors, his admittance of guilt and helpful cooperation, resulted in a reduced sentence for Sibella. His sentence includes one year of probation and a monetary fine of $9,500.
A Considered Light Sentence for Sibella Verifies Prior Claims
Sibella faced his sentence under US District Judge Dolly M. Gee, where he could have received a prison term of up to five years. There was also the potential for a fine amounting to $250,000 due to the severity of his transgressions.
The Probation Office underscored Sibella’s accountability and collaboration in their report, expressing his acceptance of the full weight of his actions. They also took into consideration the mitigating factor of his age, 61. These two aspects played a role in the leniency of his sentence.
In contrast, the Nevada-based gaming authority is considering suspending Sibella’s gambling license on a state level and imposing a fine of up to $750,000 in accordance with his anti-money laundering violations. The Nevada Gaming Control Board presented its formal grievance against Sibella, four months after his admission of guilt.
Sibella was expelled from his position as president of Resorts World Las Vegas last September.
Concurrently, Wayne Nix is awaiting his sentencing. Nix confessed in April 2022, admitting to operating an illegal gambling ring and falsifying tax returns.
