After a month that saw a bombshell report that casino mogul Steve Wynn had a history of sexual abuse against his employees, Wynn's departure from the Republican National Committee and Republican blowback against him, Wynn is now stepping down from his Las Vegas empire.
And the RNC is likely still keeping the money he gave them and helped raise for them.
Part of it comes from the fact that Wynn still has never admitted wrongdoing. “In the last couple of weeks, I have found myself the focus of an avalanche of negative publicity," he said in a press release announcing his departure. "As I have reflected upon the environment this has created — one in which a rush to judgment takes precedence over everything else, including the facts — I have reached the conclusion I cannot continue to be effective in my current roles. Therefore, effective immediately, I have decided to step down as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Wynn Resorts, a company I founded and that I love."
That wording may have helped the RNC save millions of dollars, because of a standard set by RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel. In short, McDaniel said that accusations weren't enough to justify returning the Wynn-tainted money. And by Wynn saying the "negative publicity" caused him to resign — and not the behavior that seemingly led to a $7.5 million settlement, she could say with a straight face that there would be no reason to return the cash.
Last month, in the wake of the allegations, McDaniel said that the RNC would return the money "if he is found of any wrongdoing" by an investigation. And Wynn hasn't admitted to any wrongdoing; that's the fundamental difference between Wynn and one Democratic donor accused of similar acts: Harvey Weinstein.
The next question for Republicans: Are they ever going to take the accusations against President Donald Trump seriously?
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