Light & Wonder has been accused of unfairly dismissing its former head of casino studio for North America, in violation of Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act.
In a whistleblower lawsuit filed in Michigan’s Oakland County Circuit Court, former employee Antonio Amormino claims he was pressured by vice president of operations, Dror Damchinsky, to manipulate financial reports in violation of corporate ethics and federal law.
The suit claims Amormino was subsequently dismissed after refusing to carry out the instructions and informing the company’s accounting and human resources departments, as well as filing a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
A Light & Wonder spokesperson said: “Light & Wonder disputes the allegations made by Mr. Amormino in his lawsuit and is actively defending itself through the legal process.”
According to court documents seen by NEXT.io, the alleged misconduct began on 9 July 2024, when Damchinsky asked Amormino to alter a budget tracking file.
Amormino claims he refused the directive, asserting it would result in fraudulent and inaccurate reporting.
‘Can’t just put numbers where we want’
The MGM and Harrah’s casino veteran alleges that later in the month he was again approached by Damchinsky, with the plaintiff allegedly responding that company employees “can’t just put numbers where we want.”
Despite his objections, Amormino alleges Damchinsky persisted, requesting him on 31 July to generate altered numbers for the company’s capital asset reports, actions that Amormino argued in the filing would have misrepresented the company’s financial condition.
Amormino’s complaint states that he repeatedly warned management about the illegality of such actions, citing concerns about violating the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which aims to ensure corporate transparency and prevent financial fraud.
His warnings were allegedly met with indifference, with Damchinsky purportedly telling the plaintiff he would find someone else to do it.
The complaint also details how Amormino escalated his concerns within the company. He reportedly informed head of accounting Vickie Huber and office manager Melissa Sly about Damchinsky’s demands.
The suit claims Huber agreed the requests were unethical and illegal. Subsequently, Sly filed a complaint with the firm’s human resources department.
Light & Wonder investigators dismiss complaints
However, Amormino alleges that during a meeting with company investigators on 6 August, his complaints were dismissed.
The lawsuit alleges that within days of filing a complaint with OSHA on 12 August, he was placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated on 16 August.
The suit characterises his termination as retaliatory and in violation of Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act and public policy prohibiting unlawful dismissal.
Amormino is seeking damages for emotional distress, economic losses and reputational harm, claiming his dismissal was directly tied to his refusal to engage in fraudulent practices and his efforts to report alleged violations.
In response to Amormino’s lawsuit, Light & Wonder filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the claims lack legal merit.
The company argues that Amormino’s allegations fail to meet the legal standards required under the Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and that his public policy claims are preempted by both state law and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Light & Wonder also highlighted that Sly was not subject to any disciplinary action for filing an internal complaint to human resources.
While initially filed in state court, Light & Wonder removed the case to the federal Michigan Eastern District Court on 13 November.
The supplier also requested the court strike Amormino’s demand for a jury trial, alleging he waived this right when signing his employment agreement.
The case follows a strong Q3 for the business, which saw it generate a 13% year-on-year revenue increase to $731m.