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NSW gambling regulators have banned Crown Resorts from opening its new Sydney casino due to money laundering concerns.
- MGM National Harbor is a luxury resort, retail, dining, entertainment and casino just minutes from Washington D.C on the banks of the Potomac River.
- The tribe would own and operate the planned $273 million Two Kings Casino Resort, about a half hour west of Charlotte. A temporary gaming facility at the site could be ready to open by the fall.
- Jan 24, 2021 NSW gambling regulators have banned Crown Resorts from opening its new Sydney casino due to money laundering concerns. The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) made the decision after the company made admissions that money laundering had likely occurred through its accounts.
The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) made the decision after the company made admissions that money laundering had likely occurred through its accounts.
The inquiry was initially set up to investigate suspicious activity.
The amount of suspicious money involved was in the millions of dollars.
Money Laundering Concerns
ILGA chairman Philip Crawford spoke on behalf of the authority and said they were 'not comfortable' with Crown conducting gaming operations until it received the findings from the ongoing inquiry.
The Commissioner of the inquiry is Patricia Bergin, SC. Findings are expected to be released in February 2021.
Crown Resorts had planned on operating a multibillion-dollar venue at Barangaroo in the Sydney CBD.
Mr Crawford said the most significant concern was centred around money laundering.
Representatives for Crown Resorts admitted that it was 'likely' happening through accounts set up for its VIP players.
'We had no notice that was being done, I don't think the Bergin inquiry or counsel assisting were aware of it and it's come at the eleventh hour, literally - apparently 11 o'clock last night,' Crawford said.
The inquiry heard that millions of dollars had been deposited for high-rollers to play at Crown's casinos in Melbourne and Perth.
The accounts were operated by two companies - Riverbank and Southbank - controlled by Crown Resorts.
The company's money laundering lawyers submitted the company's response to the claims just days before the inquiry's conclusion.
The ILGA is assessing whether Crown is fit to hold the licence for the soon-to-be-opened casino at Barangaroo.
What is 'Cuckoo Smurfing'?
Cuckoo Smurfing is a form of money laundering where large transactions are broken down into smaller deposits to avoid detection.
The barrister acting for Crown Resorts, Robert Craig SC, said the company accepted that 'cuckoo smurfing' was likely occurring.
'Cuckoo smurfing is a sophisticated money laundering typology whereby innocent parties make and receive legitimate payments that illicit funds are inserted into the process of making those legitimate payments,' he said.
'Crown accepts that an inference can be drawn that in some point in time, deposits into the Riverbank and Southbank accounts were more probably than not part of cuckoo smurfing activity.'
However, a report by a third party that reviewed the transactions could not prove any particular transactions that could be illegal.
'The evidence does not allow though, that that standard, or more importantly, beyond reasonable doubt, the identification of any particular instances or transactions in which money-laundering occurred,' he said.
The Crown Resort's board claimed they were unaware of the suspicious activity, which was flagged by the banks and later raised with senior staff.
Commissioner Seeks Clarity
Commissioner Patricia Bergin asked Mr Craig SC him confirm whether Crown Resorts accepted money laundering was regularly occurring, asking, 'What are you saying Mr Craig, really, it's either indicative of money laundering or it isn't?'
In response Mr Craig SC said that the company did not accept that specific instances of money laundering could be proved. However, he did say that certain inferences could be drawn.
'What I'm saying is, an inference can be drawn from this report that in some point in time deposits into those accounts were more probably than not cuckoo smurfing activity, a form of money laundering.(but) what can't be done, based on this analysis, is an identification on whether any particular instance of a transaction is or is not money-laundering.'
'One needs to be careful of the standard of proof one is applying as well,' he said.
This is reflective of the different standards of proof for criminal and civil matters.
In a criminal matter, the prosecution will usually need to prove each element of an offence 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Most criminal cases in Sydney are heard at Downing Centre Local Court.
In a civil case, the Court only needs to be satisfied on the 'balance of probabilities'. This is commonly referred to as a 'more likely than not' test.
Applying this to the above case, a criminal prosecution would be very difficult as there are no specific examples that a prosecutor could point to. An experienced money laundering lawyer would be able to defend the charges with relative ease.
However, in a civil case, the Court could accept inferences to be satisfied that it was 'more likely than not' that 'cuckoo smurfing' was occurring.
Inquiry Due to Give Recommendations
Following the conclusion of the inquiry, Commissioner Bergin is expected to set out a list of recommendations.
Amongst the recommendations will be whether to remove Crown Resorts' licence completely, or impose sweeping recommendations to enhance the scrutiny over them.
It follows a number of recent incidents of money laundering schemes, such as the one reported here.
Money Laundering Charges
Money laundering is commonly charged as dealing with money or property that was proceeds of crime is an offence under Section 193B of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
The prosecution must prove that:
- The Accused dealt with (ie. received, possessed, concealed or disposed of) money or property; and
- (Depending on the level of knowledge alleged) The Accused knew; or was reckless; or was negligent as to that money or property being proceeds of crime; and
- (Only if charged with intending to conceal) intended to conceal that it was proceeds of crime.
There are also a number of defences to money laundering charges which can be used to be found 'not guilty' of this offence.
When there are large sums of money involved, Police can apply to the Supreme Court of NSW for 'freezing orders'.
This will prevent you accessing your bank accounts and can even cause your assets to be frozen. You will not be able to withdraw money from those accounts or sell those assets while the freezing orders are in place.
When analysing sentencing statistics for money laundering from the Local Court, we can see that since 2018, 29% of persons found guilty of this offence received a jail sentence of some kind.
Of the remaining offenders, 15% were sentenced to full-time prison. Only 5% received no conviction for money laundering. All other offenders received convictions on their criminal record.
In the District Court, 100% of offenders were sentenced to some form of imprisonment. 73% of offenders were sentenced to full-time jail.
Clearly, money laundering is taken very seriously by the Courts.
Despite this there have been a number of recent examples of these charges being dismissed after an accused retains experienced criminal lawyers. Having the best criminal lawyers for money laundering charges will go a long way towards beating these charges.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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Coordinates: 38°47′41.4″N77°00′34.5″W / 38.794833°N 77.009583°W
| MGM National Harbor | |
|---|---|
| Location | National Harbor |
| Address | 101 MGM National Ave Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745-4731 |
| Opening date | December 8, 2016 |
| No. of rooms | 308 |
| Total gaming space | 135,000 sq ft (12,500 m2) |
| Signature attractions | The Theater at MGM National Harbor |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | MGM Growth Properties |
| Operating license holder | MGM Resorts International |
| Website | Casino Website |
The MGM National Harbor is a US$1.4 billion resort in the Oxon Hillcensus-designated place (CDP) in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland.[1] The resort opened on December 8, 2016,[2] and is owned by MGM Growth Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International.[3][4][5]
History[edit]
MGM Resorts International received a license in December 2013 to develop a US$925 million resort (later increased to US$1.2 billion[4][5]) in National Harbor.[3][5] The company received the license after competing with bids from Penn National Gaming to develop a US$700 million facility at its Rosecroft Raceway and Greenwood Racing to develop a US$761 million facility near Maryland Route 210.[5]
Construction on MGM National Harbor began in April 2014, and opened on December 8, 2016.[2][4]
MBE participation[edit]
In April 2015, the MGM casino was sued by a group of Prince George’s County businesses[6] who claimed the casino didn't comply with minority business enterprise (MBE) contracting standards.[7][8]
Child electric shock[edit]
On June 26, 2018 a seven-year-old girl suffered traumatic brain injury while visiting the casino. Due to a faulty installation of a device meant to control the electrical flow to the rail lighting, Zynae Green suffered an electric shock and was left wheelchair bound. Despite the family's pleas for help, MGM security did not initiate resuscitation, MGM stating 'the guards followed protocol responding to the incident and determined that Zynae was breathing and did not need CPR'. Prince George's County Police Officers started resuscitation upon arrival. The incident prompted an FBI investigation and the family has not been compensated more than a year after the incident.[9]
Cheating[edit]
In 2019, a baccarat dealer who worked at the casino was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a cheating scheme. Ming Zhang showed his co-conspirators cards before they were dealt, who split the winnings with him.[10]
Boxing death[edit]
Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev died on July 23, 2019, from injuries suffered during a July 19 boxing match at the Theater at MGM National Harbor.[11]
Robbery of winners[edit]
In 2020, two winners were robbed of more than $40,000 in winnings after leaving the casino and shot during the crime. The victims were followed by the assailants from the casino and robbed in Woodbridge, Virginia, where one of them lived and the other was shot. [12]
Design[edit]
The white exterior of the building is in keeping with the marble used in many of the buildings in Washington DC. The organization of the casino is along a central axis, similar to the arrangement for the National Mall.[13] The design was provided by HKS, Inc. while the architect of record for the project is SmithGroupJJR.[14]
Features[edit]
MGM National Harbor includes a 23-story hotel with 308 rooms, 135,000 square feet (12,500 m2) in gaming space, retail space, a spa, seven restaurants, a 3,000-seat theater with seven VIP suites, 27,000 square feet (2,500 m2) of meeting and event space, and a parking garage for 4,800 cars.[3][4]
The resort's public spaces feature a permanent collection of art inspired by the Washington metropolitan area and developed in collaboration with Prince George's County Arts and Humanities Council, Atlantic Arts, and RareCulture.[15][16] Artists, sculptors, and photographers featured in the collection include Alice Aycock, Charles Hinman, Chul Hyun Ahn, John Safer, Liao Yibai, Margaret Boozer, Martha Jackson Jarvis, Sam Gilliam, and Terry O'Neill.[15][16] The west entrance to the facility features a 25-by-15-foot (7.6 m × 4.6 m) iron archway composed of 'found objects' such as farming tools, children's toys, wheels and axes designed by Bob Dylan.[17]
Events[edit]
On December 18, 2016, the 66th edition of the Miss World pageant was held at the resort theatre.[18]
Since 2017, American singer and actress, Cher, has been performing her Classic Cher concert residency at The Theater at MGM National Harbor.[19]
On July 12 and 13, 2018, Britney Spears performed two concerts as part of her Piece of Me Tour.[20]
On September 30, 2018, Christina Aguilera performed a concert as part of her Liberation Tour.[21]
On March 31, 2019, Mariah Carey performed a concert as a part of her Caution World Tour.[22]
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
- Official website
References[edit]
- ^'2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Oxon Hill CDP, MD'(PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ abhttp://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article91376.html
- ^ abcLazo, Luz (April 20, 2014). 'Work begins at MGM National Harbor site as Pr. George's fast-tracks application process'. Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^ abcd'MGM National Harbor Casino Set to Open in 2016'. CBS DC. Associated Press. March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^ abcdBarker, Jeff (May 4, 2015). 'Giant MGM National Harbor casino is looking beyond Maryland'. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^Kirkwood, Lauren. 'RICO suit: MGM casino construction shut out minority businesses'. Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^'MGM: Nearly 1/3 of contracting firms in casino project are minority-owned'. Washington Post. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^Sykes, Michael. 'Business owners claim MGM broke promise'. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^Alexander, Keith (July 8, 2019). 'A child touched an electrified railing at MGM National Harbor resort, and lives changed'. Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- ^Bui, Lynh (December 6, 2019). 'Former Md. casino dealer sentenced to 18 months in $1 million cheating scheme, federal prosecutors said'. Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^'Russian boxer dies of injuries suffered in bout at Maryland casino'. The Washington Post. July 23, 2019.
- ^Jouvenal, Justin (March 3, 2020). 'Man is shot during robbery of more than $40,000 in casino winnings, according to search warrant'. Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^Symone Garvett (December 8, 2016). 'MGM National Harbor - HKS Architects'. architectmagazine.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
- ^'MGM National Harbor Resort'. www.smithgroupjjr.com/. smithgroupjjr. December 7, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^ abMGM National Harbor (February 25, 2016). 'MGM National Harbor to Feature Permanent Art Collection Inspired by Capital Region's Rich Heritage'. Yahoo Finance (Press release). PR Newswire. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^ abMary Ann Barton (February 26, 2016). 'Regional Art to Be Showcased at MGM National Harbor'. Old Town Alexandria, VA Patch. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^Drew Hansen (September 7, 2016). 'MGM National Harbor's gatemaker? The one and only Bob Dylan'. Washington Business Journal. Washington Business Journal. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^MGM National Harbor. ''Miss World 2016 To Be Held At The Theater at MGM National Harbor''. MGM National Harbor Newsroom. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^MGM National Harbor (March 19, 2018). ''World-Renowned Icon Cher Announces Additional 'CLASSIC CHER' Dates in 2018 at Park Theater at Monte Carlo in Las Vegas and The Theater at MGM National Harbor''. MGM National Harbor Newsroom.
- ^'Britney Spears'. Live Nation Entertainment. January 22, 2018.
- ^http://newsroom.mgmresorts.com/grammy-award-winning-superstar-christina-aguilera-announces-performance-with-special-guest-big-boy-at-theater-at-mgm-national-harbor-sunday-sept-30.htm.Missing or empty
title=(help) - ^'Mariah Carey World Tour'. livenation.com. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
| Preceded by Crown of Beauty Theatre Sanya, China (2015) | Miss World Venues 2016 | Succeeded by Sanya City Arena Sanya, China (2017) |