(Newser)
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Federal authorities are investigating the Sands casinos for allegedly helping shady figures launder millions of dollars, the Wall Street Journal reports. A businessman in Mexico and a former California executive—high rollers who have run afoul of the law—made the money transfers years ago. Now the US attorney's office is investigating whether the Las Vegas Sands Corp shrugged off rules against money laundering in accepting the enormous sums.
US authorities are already investigating bribery allegations at Sands operations in Macau, a Chinese territory. But the new probe could evoke sympathy for Sands owner Sheldon Adelson—a major Republican donor—if people believe the Justice Dept is going after him for political reasons. Few will cry for the alleged money launderers, however: One has lost over $125 million in Vegas, and accepted a Rolls-Royce from the Sands-owned Venetian casino—as a gift.
