Fontainebleau Las Vegas is under investigation by state gaming regulators for potentially violating anti-money laundering laws (AML), according to a document inadvertently provided to the Nevada Gaming Commission within the background materials used in the otherwise routine licensing process for Maurice Wooden, who has been president of the Strip resort since January 2024.

The investigation came as a surprise to Wooden.

“I don’t know of any of the questions you’re asking about right now,” Wooden said Thursday before the commission voted unanimously to grant him a two-year license while the control board continues its investigation.

Wooden was recommended for an unlimited gaming license two weeks ago by the Gaming Control Board. With the limited license, he will need to reapply for a permanent license in 2027. 

Before the money laundering allegations were brought up, Wooden told the gaming commission “AML is one of the most important topics, if not the most important topic, we always discuss in our leadership meetings.”

In an unsigned statement, the property said it was “pleased that Maurice Wooden was found suitable and Fontainebleau Las Vegas is continuing to work with the Gaming Control Board on our ongoing audit.”

According to statements made by commissioners, state gaming agents raised allegations of money laundering after Fontainebleau management denied credit to a customer, but the decision was overruled by the property’s ownership. The $3.7 billion Fontainebleau, privately owned by Miami-based developer Jeffrey Soffer, opened in December 2023.

As property president, Wooden told the gaming commission he has credit approval at the Fontainebleau that exceeds the level of the player development team. 

Wooden’s attorney, Dan Reaser, told the commission no questions were posed to Wooden by state gaming agents about a money laundering investigation during the interview process, or at a final meeting with agents ahead of the commission hearing.

“The record needs to be clear with regard to the investigation of Mr. Wooden. This issue was never raised, so the ability to respond to it was eliminated until today,” Reaser said.

Gaming Control Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick interrupted the commission’s questioning of Wooden and Reaser, acknowledging that an investigation is ongoing but said the material submitted to commissioners should have been marked as confidential and not have been included in Wooden’s licensing hearing.

“I don't want to go any deeper into this matter until the board has an opportunity to review it and, of course, speak with the licensee,” Hendrick said. “There's no problem with the commission having that material."

Gaming Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Togliati said regulators might need to discuss the matter with the author of the report.

Hendrick said the report "probably should have been marked confidential or under investigation.”

Several members of the five-member gaming commission said they were uncomfortable moving forward with a full gaming license with the money laundering question hanging over the property.

“This is no disparagement to you,” Commissioner Brian Krolicki told Wooden. “It's just that we are aware of information, and we can't unknow it. It's not comfortable for me to move forward with something that is still fluid.”

Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey said she wouldn’t support a full gaming license for Wooden, “because I don't think we necessarily have all the information.”

Reaser suggested a two- or three-year license while the matter is cleared up.

“I do understand what the commissioners are struggling with,” he said. “There's a piece of information about the company that has been inserted, and you want to know whether or not that information about the company and its audit reflects somehow on Mr. Wooden.” 

Updated at 8:08 p.m. on 5/22/2025 to clarify comments by regulators.

Updated at 5:44 p.m. on 5/22/2025 with a statement from Fontainebleau.