An anti-money laundering (AML) probe into the newly opened Fontainebleau Las Vegas was inadvertently made public during a recent Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) meeting, highlighting the growing list of casinos entangled in regulatory scrutiny across southern Nevada.
A Confidential Probe Becomes Public
The Fontainebleau—owned by Jeffrey Soffer and Koch Real Estate Investments—was revealed to be under investigation during a licensing discussion for Maurice Wooden, the resort’s president since January 2024. The property, which opened in December 2023 after years of delays and a $3.7 billion budget, is reportedly under scrutiny for credit issuance practices.
During the hearing, Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey asked Wooden about “the issues that are currently going on at the Fontainebleau with respect to credit issuance.” Wooden appeared unaware of any investigation:
“I’m not sure of any investigation as it relates to anything with AML. Is there something specific? I’m not sure.”
The exchange sparked a brief but tense dispute. Gaming Control Board (NGCB) Chair Kirk Hendrick, who was present, promptly called for a halt to the discussion:
“I don’t want to go any deeper into this matter until the board has an opportunity to review it and, of course, speak with the licensee.”
Fontainebleau Responds
Despite the public fumble, the NGC unanimously approved Wooden’s licence—but on a limited two-year basis, diverging from the NGCB’s recommendation for an unlimited term.
In a statement, Fontainebleau Las Vegas characterized the situation as an “ongoing audit” and said it was “pleased that Maurice Wooden was found suitable.”
According to Fontainebleau executive Stacy Michaels, the investigation centres on a case where credit denials by management were overruled by ownership. Five player accounts were reviewed; issues were found with three.
The LeForbes Connection
One particularly notable case involved a $2 million marker reportedly issued in January 2024 to Damien LeForbes—a known illegal bookmaker and former pro poker player. LeForbes has been implicated in prior AML investigations involving MGM Resorts and Resorts World Las Vegas.
Professional gambler and whistleblower RJ Cipriani claims LeForbes used winnings from that marker to settle debts around Las Vegas before defaulting:
“All the casinos that took DJ LeForbes’ and Matt Bowyer’s action are being investigated by GCB,” Cipriani said, referencing Matt Bowyer, another central figure in several AML scandals.
Familiar Faces, Repeated Patterns
The Las Vegas AML saga appears to revolve around a tight network of recurring individuals—LeForbes, Bowyer, and now, Maurice Wooden. Before joining Fontainebleau, Wooden was president of Wynn Las Vegas from 2013 to 2018.
Ironically, during the same NGC hearing, Wynn Resorts was fined $5.5 million for AML violations related to unlicensed money transfers, some of which reportedly occurred during Wooden’s leadership period.
“AML is one of the most important topics, if not the most important, we discuss in our leadership meetings,” Wooden asserted during his testimony.
Final Thoughts
As Nevada’s regulatory bodies ramp up enforcement, the Fontainebleau case underscores the ongoing challenges of AML compliance in a high-stakes environment. With major operators under scrutiny and a growing trail of linked investigations, the state’s reputation for gaming integrity faces its toughest test in years.
