Former Las Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn faces a demand from the Justice Department that he register as a foreign agent who did work on behalf of China, the Wall Street Journal reports.
According to the report, Wynn spoke with a Chinese government official about Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui. He apparently later lobbied U.S. officials to to deport the businessman back to China, where he faces a variety of criminal charges.
The Justice Department says Wynn — who developed properties in the Chinese gambling mecca of Macau — must register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act or face litigation forcing him to comply
Wynn’s attorney told the Journal, “Steve Wynn never served as an agent or lobbyist for China or anyone else.”
Wynn changed the face of the Strip with the 1989 opening of the Mirage, which ushered in the era of the luxury megaresort. He resigned from his namesake Wynn Resorts in 2018 amid sexual misconduct allegations.