Former Resorts World Las Vegas Executives have had a federal lawsuit filed against them on December 3rd, 2025. Scott Sibella, who was the president of the hotel, and Las Vegas lawyer David Chesnoff are named as accused in the lawsuit that alleges they violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). David Chesnoff, one of the alleged, was appointed to President Trump’s Homeland Security Advisory Council. The lawsuit has been filed by Robert (R.J.) Cipriani, a high-stakes player, and renowned businessman James Russel. Cipriani and Russel’s suit further claims that Resorts World has not been capable of operating within the confines of the law since it opened in 2021. Arguing that it operates as a “corrupt racketeering enterprise” as opposed to a legitimate hotel and casino.
In their suit, Cipriani and Russel allege that Resorts World ran under intentional business methods based on subverting regulations to increase profits. Chesnoff is the subject of further allegations that claim he made himself rich through hidden investments in the Resorts World business on behalf of people not allowed in the casino.
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According to the lawsuit, the incidents of Sibella and Chesnoff channelling the hidden investments they made on behalf of prohibited persons into the laundering of illicit funds were not isolated cases. Instead, the plaintiffs suggested that they turned the resort into a business built on corruption, not compliance. The lawsuit also makes a callback to a previous case filed by Cipriani, which was dismissed by District Judge Miranda Du. That case was remanded back to Du in November by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; however, this time, Sibella was not listed as a defendant.
Cipriani’s new lawsuit comes after Resorts World had been reprimanded for serious regulatory and compliance failures. Earlier this year, Resorts World and its parent company, Genting Berhad, received a $10.5 million fine from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). The fine was issued because Resorts World had allowed known illegal bookmakers to gamble on its floor, which was a clear violation of the state’s anti-money-laundering statute.
Despite having been previously fined and being under the regulatory microscope, the Cipriani’s lawsuit argues that the combined changes to management and oversight have not remedied the resort’s compliance issues. This lawsuit threatens to have implications beyond Las Vegas, with Resorts World currently seeking to expand its operations into New York. Recently, Resorts World has been awarded a license to open casino operations in the downstate area of New York, and questionable business practices in Las Vegas could make it difficult for Resorts World to effectively gain a foothold in the New York market.
While Resorts World was granted the license, the New York Gaming Board previously voiced concerns about a lack of transparency from Resorts World. During the application process for the New York gambling license, the New York board asked Resorts World if it had any disciplinary actions to disclose from the past five years.
The board noted that in its statement, Resorts World disclosed disciplinary action that had been settled. In the action, it was mentioned that Resorts World’s parent company, Genting Berhad – RW Las Vegas LLC, was involved, but provided no further details. In addition to this, the resort left out any violations that resulted in fines at Resorts World Catskills, Hudson Valley, and its current video lottery gaming facility. This was a risky move, as the bidding process for the New York License was tough, and the city had already sunk a bid to build a casino in Times Square.
Resorts World has not remained quiet about the allegations. In an email, the resort has stated that it does not usually comment on ongoing legal cases, but this lawsuit brings up previous attempts to cast a negative shadow over Resorts World. A case against which they plan to defend themselves heavily, stated a spokesperson for the resort.
Sibella is no stranger to allegations of this nature, having been investigated back in 2023 for various allegations regarding Resorts World Las Vegas and MGM Grand. At the time, Sibella served as the president for both companies. Sibella was let go by Resorts World following the news of these allegations, and he later pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws. Soon after, Sibella was stripped of his Nevada Gaming license.
For stakeholders in the gambling industry, the lawsuit filed against Resorts World highlights risks for casinos that place profits over regulatory compliance. The lawsuit argues that Resorts World embraced those risks, using its mainstream credibility to hide illicit activity, and casts a negative light on land-based casino operations.
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