Hard Rock International is facing scrutiny following allegations involving one of its senior executives. The company has suspended Alex Pariente, senior vice president of hotel and casino operations, amid an internal investigation into whistleblower claims of improper betting practices at a resort in the Dominican Republic. The development comes as Hard Rock, in partnership with Mets owner Steve Cohen, pursues a New York casino license near Citi Field, the detail reported by the New York Post.
The specific charges against Pariente involve an instance where $100,000 was accepted from a Chinese national and subsequently broken down into multiple smaller deposits to sidestep anti-money laundering rules, a move that could draw attention and potential regulatory scrutiny. The whistleblower, high stakes gambler RJ Cipriani, has gone public with these claims, alerting Hard Rock leadership and regulatory bodies to the purported misconduct, including the IRS criminal unit and various gaming regulators in Florida, Las Vegas, and New York, as Casino.org reported.
In a decisive move signaling zero-tolerance for ethical breaches, Hard Rock stated, "Hard Rock International is aware of the allegations involving one of our executives and is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness," in a statement obtained by Casino.org. The seriousness of the allegations is reflected in Hard Rock’s decision to suspend Pariente without pay, while the company has declined to comment on the reported suspensions of two other employees allegedly connected to the case.
While Hard Rock has not disclosed specific details about the ongoing investigation, the company's actions align with broader industry efforts to uphold integrity in gaming operations. Pariente’s previous roles at Wynn Las Vegas and the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel have drawn attention to the investigation, given his long-standing presence in the industry. In a statement to Casino.org, Cipriani called for the casino industry to remove "dirty, corrupt executives" and noted Hard Rock’s prompt response to the situation.
The situation at Hard Rock International is unfolding as the company, along with other applicants, awaits a decision from the state Gaming Commission, which is expected to issue up to three gaming licenses in the New York City area by the end of the year. The company's handling of the allegations is taking place under the oversight of both an internal investigation and external regulatory review, according to the New York Post.
