From Earlier: Wynn Prevails in Defamation Suit against Joe Francis
Wynn (NASDAQ: WYNN) Las Vegas was awarded $7.5 million in damages in Nevada District Court on Wednesday, concluding an ongoing legal dispute with "Girls Gone Wild" founder, Joe Francis.
The defamation complaint, filed by Steve Wynn and Wynn Las Vegas in August 2008, was in response to Francis' false claims that Steve Wynn and Wynn Las Vegas deceives customers and did not honor contractual agreements related to a $2 million debt that Francis incurred at the resort.
After hearing evidence, Nevada District Court Judge Mark Denton ruled in favor of Steve Wynn and Wynn Las Vegas, awarding $5 million in compensatory and $2.5 million in punitive damages. The ruling disproves the false claims against Steve Wynn and Wynn Las Vegas that Francis has publically disseminated over the past three years.
Joe Francis still owes $2 million plus interest and fees to Wynn Las Vegas as determined by the Nevada District Court in 2009. That judgment by the Nevada District Court still stands and Wynn Las Vegas will continue its efforts to identify and attach assets of Mr. Francis to satisfy both judgments.
