A fraud case against Wynn Resorts regarding the land sale for Encore Boston Harbor casino will proceed to trial, following a recent ruling by Suffolk Superior Court Judge Kenneth W. Salinger.

FBT Everett Realty, the former landowner, alleges Wynn Resorts manipulated them into selling the property for $35 million instead of the originally agreed $75 million. The land, a former chemical plant site on the Mystic River, was purchased by FBT in 2009 for $8 million.

The dispute centers around Charles A Lightbody, a former FBT director with alleged Mafia connections and a criminal record. When the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) raised concerns about Lightbody's involvement, FBT claims Wynn Resorts used these concerns to force the price reduction, falsely claiming their casino license would be denied otherwise.

Key developments in the case:

• FBT directors, including Lightbody, were cleared of federal fraud charges in 2016
• Judge Salinger dismissed claims against the MGC but found sufficient evidence against Wynn Resorts
• The bench trial is scheduled for May or early June 2025

The case adds to the controversial history of Wynn's license award, which led to the 2018 resignation of MGC chair Stephen Crosby amid allegations of bias, which he denied.

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