Zona de Azar USA – Wynn Resorts Files Lawsuit Against Fontainebleau Alleging Employee Poaching

USA.- March 4, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com Wynn Resorts has taken legal action against Fontainebleau, accusing the latter of engaging in an “unhealthy obsession” with replicating the Wynn experience and unlawfully poaching its top employees. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County District Court, alleges that Fontainebleau continued to solicit Wynn executive employees, violating non-competition agreements and contractual relations.

The dispute began in mid-2022, with Wynn officials claiming that Fontainebleau’s executive team actively sought Wynn employees despite prior agreements. Although the two resorts had initially reached an agreement to cease such activities, Wynn asserts that Fontainebleau persisted in its efforts through February 2023, prompting the legal action.

In response to the lawsuit, Fontainebleau chose not to comment, citing company policy regarding pending litigation. Wynn Resorts emphasized its commitment to the success of all operators in Las Vegas but insisted on protecting its employees’ negotiated contractual agreements from interference.

The lawsuit portrays Fontainebleau’s actions as indicative of an “unhealthy obsession” with everything Wynn, from amenities to employees. The document includes specific instances of recruitment efforts, detailing how Fontainebleau executives approached Wynn employees, even posing as paying guests to gain access to potential hires. Wynn cited nine instances of Fontainebleau executives reaching out to Wynn employees, particularly in nightlife, restaurants, and executive chef roles.

Wynn Resorts seeks an injunction to prevent Fontainebleau from further employee poaching attempts and damages exceeding $15,000, as determined by the court. The legal dispute sheds light on the competitive dynamics within the Las Vegas hospitality industry and the challenges faced by resorts in retaining their skilled workforce.

Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com