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Former Las Vegas casino executive sentenced to year of probation in bookmaking money laundering case

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Former Las Vegas casino executive sentenced to year of probation in bookmaking money laundering case
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Former Las Vegas casino executive sentenced to year of probation in bookmaking money laundering case

2024-05-09 07:01 Last Updated At:07:10

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former top executive for major Las Vegas casinos was sentenced to a year of probation Wednesday after admitting he allowed an illegal bookmaker to gamble millions of dollars at the MGM Grand and pay off debts in cash.

Scott Sibella pleaded guilty in January to violating federal anti-money laundering rules that required the casino to file reports of suspicious transactions. His sentence was handed down in federal court by U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee, who also ordered Sibella to pay a fine of $9,500, plus a $100 special assessment.

Gee said Sibella “turned a blind eye” to behavior he knew was potentially illegal. But in deciding against prison time, Gee said she took into consideration that Sibella fully cooperated with investigators and had no previous criminal history.

Before the sentencing, Sibella apologized to his family, friends and former employers. He told the judge, “You will never see me in your court again.”

Sibella had faced up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His attorneys had asked the judge to consider probation. They submitted more than 80 testimonial letters of support, including one from Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, the elected head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The MGM Grand and nearby Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas previously settled a related case stemming from a U.S. Justice Department money laundering probe. The resorts agreed to pay a combined $7.45 million, submit to an external review and step up their anti-money laundering compliance programs.

Separately, Nevada casino regulators are considering revoking or suspending Sibella’s state gambling license and fining him up to $750,000. A complaint filed April 30 by state Gaming Control Board investigators has not yet been considered by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The bookmaker central to Sibella's case, Wayne Nix, is a former minor league baseball player who lives in Newport Coast, California. He's awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in April 2022 to operating an illegal gambling business and filing a false tax return.

According to his plea agreement with the government, Sibella allowed Nix to gamble at MGM Grand and affiliated properties with illicit proceeds generated from the illegal gambling business without notifying the casinos' compliance department.

Sibella told federal investigators in January 2022 “that he had ‘heard that Nix was in the booking business’ and he ‘couldn’t figure out how he had all the money he gambled with.’”

“I didn’t want to know because of my position,” Sibella told investigators. “I stay out of it. If we know, we can’t allow them to gamble. I didn’t ask, I didn’t want to know I guess because he wasn’t doing anything to cheat the casino.”

In a written statement provided by his attorneys after Wednesday's sentencing, Sibella said he takes full responsibility for his actions and reiterated that he “gained no benefit — neither personal, professional or financial,” from his crime.

Sibella was president and chief operating officer of the MGM Grand for eight years and then president of Resorts World Las Vegas until 2023.

His sentencing comes as the Justice Department undertakes a wide-ranging investigation into illegal sports gambling operations in Southern California laundering money through Las Vegas casinos. The most notable case involves Ippei Mizuhara, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter. Federal prosecutors say Mizuhara transferred money he stole from the Japanese superstar in a scheme to pay off debts to illegal bookmakers.

Sibella held top executive positions at The Mirage and Treasure Island casinos on the Las Vegas Strip before becoming president of the more than 6,800-room MGM Grand in 2011. He left the company in February 2019 and joined Resorts World Las Vegas before Malaysia-based Genting Group opened the $4.3 billion, 66-floor resort in June 2021.

Sibella was dismissed by Resorts World in September 2023 after the company said he "violated company policies and the terms of his employment.”

This story has been updated to remove an erroneous reference to federal prosecutors saying Mizuhara transferred money he stole from Ohtani to Resorts World. The criminal complaint against Mizuhara does not reference Resorts World.

Ritter reported from Las Vegas.

Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella talks to reporters during construction of a project in Las Vegas. Former top executive at Las Vegas Strip casinos, Sibella, faces a judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and possible federal prison time after pleading guilty to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella talks to reporters during construction of a project in Las Vegas. Former top executive at Las Vegas Strip casinos, Sibella, faces a judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and possible federal prison time after pleading guilty to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella speaks during a tour of property before its opening in Las Vegas, June 23, 2021. Former top executive at Las Vegas Strip casinos, Sibella, faces a judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and possible federal prison time after pleading guilty to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella speaks during a tour of property before its opening in Las Vegas, June 23, 2021. Former top executive at Las Vegas Strip casinos, Sibella, faces a judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and possible federal prison time after pleading guilty to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella speaks at the Resorts World Boring Company station, July 11, 2022, in Las Vegas. Former top executive at Las Vegas Strip casinos, Sibella, faces a judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and possible federal prison time after pleading guilty to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella speaks at the Resorts World Boring Company station, July 11, 2022, in Las Vegas. Former top executive at Las Vegas Strip casinos, Sibella, faces a judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and possible federal prison time after pleading guilty to violating federal anti-money laundering rules. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

MIAMI (AP) — Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor each drove in two runs in a four-run first inning, star closer Edwin Díaz was not used in a save situation and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Sunday for just their second win in seven games.

Brandon Nimmo homered and Francisco Lindor singled twice following a 1-for-27 skid as the Mets rebounded from blowing a four-run, ninth-inning lead on Saturday and avoided a three-game sweep. New York stopped Miami’s four-game winning streak.

“You’re not defined by what you do the day before. You’re defined by how you get up from adversity,” Lindor said. “We wanted this one for sure. I think it’s important to win after a tough loss like that.”

Sean Manaea (3-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. Sean Reid-Foley and Jake Diekman pitched an inning each, and Reed Garrett got his second save by allowing one hit over two innings with four strikeouts in a 34-pitch outing.

Díaz has a 10.80 ERA over his last eight appearances after serving up four homers in 8 1/3 innings. He has blown three of his last four save chances.

“We all believe in him. We all know he’s going to be back,” Garrett said. “Whenever my name’s called, I’ll pitch, but I know as a collective unit we all believe in Edwin and we know what he can do.”

New York (21-25) had dropped five games under .500 on Saturday for the first time since an 0-5 start.

“Not an easy weekend, not the way we expected, but we just have to continue to move forward,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Today was a huge win for us.”

With New York ahead 4-3, Nimmo hit a two-run homer off Anthony Bender in a three-run ninth that included Brett Baty’s RBI single.

“I was just looking for a good pitch in the middle of the plate to drive,” Nimmo said. “I was able to hit that ball — good launch angle — and hit it hard. Found its way out of the ballpark.”

Nimmo returned to the lineup Saturday after missing two games because of a stomach illness.

“I’m coming around,” Nimmo said. “It’s been a little bit of a journey the last three days to get over the sickness. Right now, I’m just trying to get some appetite back. I’m definitely not at 100%. Just trying to battle through it and glad that I was able to help out there at the end and solidify the win.”

Dane Myers hit a two-run homer in the second, and Christian Bethancourt had a solo drive in the seventh against DIekman.

Sixto Sánchez (0-2) allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. He gave up Taylor’s two-out double in the first and Bader’s single.

“He was obviously better second through the fourth inning but he put us in a hole early,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “At this level it’s hard to come back from four runs every single time. He’s not giving his teammates a chance to win.”

Miami recalled right-handed reliever Emmanuel Ramirez from Jacksonville and optioned right-handed reliever Anthony Maldonado to the Triple-A farm team.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: DH J.D. Martinez (flu symptoms) didn’t play but was available to pinch hit. Mendoza said Martinez played through the illness the prior two days.

Marlins: INF Tim Anderson (lower back tightness) homered and had three singles in five at-bats during a rehab game with Jacksonville on Saturday, then went 0 for 4 with a walk on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Tylor Megill (0-1, 2.25) will start the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland on Monday. RHP Ben Lively (2-2, 3.06) will start for the Guardians.

Marlins: LHP Ryan Weathers (2-4, 3.81) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game home series against Milwaukee on Monday. The Brewers will go with RHP Joe Ross (2-4, 4.61).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Sean Manaea delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets' Sean Manaea delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) and Francisco Lindor (12) congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Tyrone Taylor, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) and Francisco Lindor (12) congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Tyrone Taylor, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader is unable to catch a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell for a double, during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader is unable to catch a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell for a double, during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Marlins third base Emmanuel Rivera, right, tags out New York Mets' Harrison Bader as he slides into third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Marlins third base Emmanuel Rivera, right, tags out New York Mets' Harrison Bader as he slides into third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) catches a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell as both he and left fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) vie for the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) catches a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell as both he and left fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) vie for the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets relief pitcher Reed Garrett, right, and catcher Omar Narvaez celebrate after the Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3, during a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets relief pitcher Reed Garrett, right, and catcher Omar Narvaez celebrate after the Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3, during a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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