Cipriani Files Civil RICO Case Against Resorts World Las Vegas, a Rarity in Casino Industry
Posted on: December 3, 2025, 05:19h.
Last updated on: December 3, 2025, 05:19h.
- Cipriani and a co-plaintiff allege Resorts World Las Vegas knowingly allowed criminals to launder money there
- Plaintiffs believe the casino resort suffers top down rot in leadership, including parent company Genting
- Former executive Scott Sibella among named defendants
High stakes gambler R.J. Cipriani and a co-plaintiff today filed a civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act lawsuit against Resorts World Las Vegas and parent company Genting Bhd, marking a rarity in the casino industry.
The case was filed earlier today in the US District Court for the District of Nevada and includes Genting executive K.T. Lim and former executive Scott Sibella among the named defendants. Sibella was previously accused of knowingly allowing black market bookies to wager illicit funds at Resorts World. Counsel for the plaintiffs argue that although Resorts World Las Vegas is just four and a half years old, the integrated resort rapidly established a reputation for lax compliance standards.
Since its celebrated Las Vegas opening in 2021, Resorts World has proven beyond question that it is unfit and incapable of operating a casino and hotel complex in compliance with the law,” according to the legal document. “In fact, since opening Resorts World in 2021, Genting Berhad and Resorts World have proven their bona fides as a corrupt racketeering enterprise that operates with complete disregard of basic governance, corporate ethics and the law.”
Cipriani’s co-plaintiff is steel magnate Jim Russell who claims he was bilked out $10 million by black market bookmaker Brandon Sattler in a fraudulent investment scheme. The plaintiffs argue Resorts World Las Vegas knowingly allowed Sattler to wager ill-gotten proceeds at the property.
“Unfortunately, Plaintiff Russell and other businesspeople in the community were victims of a massive investment fraud executed by Defendant Brandon Sattler, a member of the enterprise, who cheated Plaintiff Russell and his partners out of approximately $10 million,” according to the suit.
The Cipriani/Russell case was filed a year to the day after Sattler was sentenced to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release for loan fraud.
More Interesting Timing in Resorts World Las Vegas Case
Cipriani, also known as Robin Hood 702, has long-running history with the Genting-owned Las Vegas casino hotel. The filing of the civil RICO case arrived about a month after the well-known blackjack player notched a legal victory when the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit sent another case he brought against Resort World back to a district court for further evaluation.
How the civil RICO case proceeds remains to be seen, but it’s possible Genting and Resorts World are going to battle against the wrong people because Cipriani has a lengthy history of assisting various federal agencies in identifying nefarious goings on at casinos and prosecuting the perpetrators.
“With his assistance, the Department of Justice, state prosecutors and regulatory agencies have successfully prosecuted organizations and individuals involved in wire fraud, illegal gambling activities, drug trafficking, money laundering, and other significant criminal conduct and regulatory violations,” notes his counsel. “To this end, Plaintiff Cipriani provided truthful information that exposed criminal activities by casinos, illegal gamblers, money launderers and other individuals involved in the criminal underworld in Las Vegas and other jurisdictions in the United States and around the world.”
Adding to the intrigue around the Cipriani/Russell suit is that it was filed two days after Resorts World New York moved closer to landing a permit to convert what’s currently a slots-only venue to a Las Vegas-style casino.
An article published earlier today by The Nevada Current indicates Resorts World New York, which is one of the highest-grossing regional casinos in the US, failed to disclose allegations of money laundering at various Genting-operated gaming venues in the US.
That could jibe with Cipriani’s assertion that leadership at Genting and Resorts World Las Vegas has taken a laissez faire approach to dealing with money laundering concerns. In the legal filings, it’s noted Cipriani wrote a letter to Lim on the matter in December 2021, but the Genting executive didn’t follow up.
Chesnoff, Homeland Security Appointee, Named in Suit, Too
Among the other recognizable people named as defendants in the Cipriani/Russell is criminal defense attorney David Chesnoff. A name partner with the Las Vegas firm Chesnoff and Schonfeld, he was appointed to the federal Homeland Security Advisory Council in June.
Defendant Chesnoff maintained a close relationship with Defendants Resorts World and Sibella, and other illegal gamblers, fraudsters and money launderers,” according to the court filing. “In addition to representing various illegal gamblers, fraudsters, drug traffickers and other criminals, Defendant Chesnoff invested in, participated in and owned business interests at Resorts World, which were used to facilitate money laundering, and other illegal activities.”
Chesnoff’s past clients include rappers Cardi B Lil Baby as well as Henry Ruggs III — the former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver currently in prison for a 2021 drunk driving accident that resulted in the death of a young woman and her dog.
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