Nevada Supreme Court dismisses Steve Wynn"s defamation case against AP

The Nevada Supreme Court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by casino mogul Steve Wynn against The Associated Press, which he initiated in 2018. The court upheld a previous ruling that cited the state's anti-SLAPP law, designed to prevent lawsuits aimed at silencing critics. The court emphasized that Wynn, as a public figure, needed to provide clear evidence of actual malice in the publication, which he failed to do. The article in question reported on allegations of sexual misconduct against Wynn, which were of significant public interest. Wynn's legal team argued that the AP's article did not adequately present elements that could cast doubt on the allegations made by Halina Kuta, one of the women involved. However, the court maintained that the public had a right to be informed about the misconduct allegations against a prominent figure in Nevada. The unanimous decision by the seven-member court reinforced the importance of protecting freedom of speech, particularly in cases involving public figures. Following the allegations, Wynn resigned as CEO of Wynn Resorts and faced multiple fines from gaming regulators in Nevada and Massachusetts for failing to disclose the misconduct claims during licensing processes. In 2019, Wynn agreed to pay a $10 million fine without admitting wrongdoing, and his former company was fined a record $20 million for not investigating the allegations. The ruling is expected to make it more challenging for public figures to pursue defamation claims against media organizations, as it underscores the need for a higher standard of proof in such cases. The AP plans to seek reimbursement for legal costs incurred during the lawsuit.