Managing Director Christopher Urben spoke with CNN about the money-laundering pipeline running through Las Vegas’ biggest casino.
Last year, Wynn Las Vegas agreed to pay the US federal government $130 million to settle a case regarding the illegal money used by big-stakes gamblers at the casino. When speaking about the lifecycle of this cash, Chris says: “Forty-eight hours ago, that was the proceeds of fentanyl,” and he goes on to explain that the investigation uncovered the following evidence: “Phone data seized from the four suspects showed they were frequently communicating with Wynn casino hosts—but also that some of their communications traced back to Mexican cartel operatives. Other intelligence, including surveillance and post-arrest interviews, also pointed to cartels as a significant source of cash.” Chris concludes by mentioning: “The majority and the driver of this was Mexican cartel proceeds. When I say that, I mean fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine.”
Chris specializes in leading international money laundering and threat finance investigations, and he leverages this expertise to help clients effectively address a variety of complex investigative and compliance challenges.
