A lawsuit that reads like a Hollywood crime thriller has been filed in Nevada, alleging a vast racketeering enterprise operated from within one of Las Vegas's most luxurious casinos. The legal complaint, brought by a professional gambler who worked as a confidential FBI informant, accuses Resorts World Las Vegas executives of facilitating money laundering for convicted criminals in a desperate bid for profit.
A "Corrupt Racketeering Enterprise" Alleged at Luxury Resort
Robert 'RJ' Cipriani, 64, filed the complaint in a Nevada federal court this week. He claims that executives and staff at the $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas actively encouraged a string of felons to gamble illicit cash and run illegal schemes from the property. In exchange, the suit alleges, the individuals received personal kickbacks while the resort pocketed the profits.
The filing paints a picture of an establishment in financial distress, allegedly willing to flout the law to stay afloat. Cipriani claims that when he confronted Resorts World President Scott Sibella about the illegal activity, Sibella retorted that the casino needed the money "to keep the lights on." Sibella has since dismissed the allegations as "laughable" and originating from a "disgraced person."
The lawsuit details how convicted criminals allegedly gambled staggering sums, with one, professional poker player Damien LeForbes, wagering an astonishing $148 million at the casino in 2022 and 2023. Transactions were said to involve bags of cash and anonymous casino chips, bypassing standard anti-money laundering protocols.
Retaliation, Trumped-Up Charges, and Political Donations
Cipriani's suit takes a dramatic turn, alleging a concerted campaign of retaliation after he reported suspicious activity to management in 2021. He claims the casino orchestrated a "false arrest" against him on fabricated charges.
The incident stemmed from a confrontation with a convicted fraudster, Robert Alexander, who Cipriani says was sent to harass him. After Cipriani took Alexander's phone to security, police arrested Cipriani instead. Clark County District Attorney Stephen Wolfson filed felony charges, including robbery of an elderly victim.
Cipriani's lawsuit highlights that less than a month after his arrest, Resorts World donated $10,000 to Wolfson's re-election campaign, with the casino's general counsel adding another $1,000. President Scott Sibella made two $5,000 donations later that year. The suit describes these as his only political contributions since 2018.
The felony charges were eventually dropped when Cipriani pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour disorderly conduct charge in May 2022, a plea he claims he was coerced into accepting.
High-Profile Names and a New York Licence in the Balance
Among the defendants named is high-profile Las Vegas defence attorney David Chesnoff, whose celebrity clientele has included Leonardo DiCaprio and Cristiano Ronaldo. Cipriani labels him a "local fixer" for Sibella, alleging Chesnoff invested in casino businesses used to launder money for known criminals.
The suit specifically mentions Chesnoff's former client, convicted cocaine trafficker Joseph Bravo, and claims Chesnoff co-owned businesses within the Resorts World complex with Bravo's son.
The allegations emerge at a critical juncture for Resorts World's parent company, Malaysian conglomerate Genting Berhad. It is currently seeking a lucrative gaming licence for a $5.5 billion resort project in Queens, New York. The company has already been fined $10.5 million by the Nevada Gaming Control Board in March 2025 for anti-money laundering failures.
Other criminals Cipriani alleges were welcomed at the casino include Matthew Bowyer, the bookmaker central to the illegal gambling case involving Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, and Edwin Ting, convicted of running an illegal poker ring. Despite internal warnings, Ting was allegedly extended a $1.5 million line of credit.
As the lawsuit includes allegations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, any damages awarded to Cipriani could be tripled if he prevails. The case threatens to send lasting shockwaves through the regulated gaming industry.
