A fraud case against Wynn Resorts regarding the land sale for Encore Boston Harbor casino will proceed to trial, following a recent ruling by Suffolk Superior Court Judge Kenneth W. Salinger.

FBT Everett Realty, which previously owned the casino site, claims Wynn Resorts fraudulently pressured them to reduce the agreed land price from $75 million to $35 million. The lawsuit centers around a former chemical plant site that FBT purchased for $8 million in 2009.

Key points of the case:

• FBT alleges a verbal agreement with Wynn in 2012 to sell the land for $75 million if Wynn secured the gaming license
• The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) raised concerns about former FBT director Charles A Lightbody's criminal record and alleged Mafia connections
• FBT claims Wynn falsely stated the MGC would deny their casino license unless the price was reduced
• In 2016, FBT's directors were cleared of federal fraud charges, as no law prohibited felons from profiting from land sales to casino companies

While Judge Salinger dismissed claims against the MGC, finding they didn't formally direct the price reduction, he determined sufficient evidence exists to proceed with the case against Wynn Resorts.

The bench trial is scheduled for May or early June 2025. This case adds to previous controversies surrounding the license award, including the 2018 resignation of MGC chair Stephen Crosby over alleged bias toward Wynn Resorts.

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