Wynn Land Owner and Convicted Felon Pleads Not Guilty to Wire Fraud

BOSTON — (Associated Press) - An owner of the land that Wynn Resorts is planning to develop into a $1.6 billion casino has pleaded not guilty to federal wire fraud charges in connection with the land deal.

Charles Lightbody, of Revere, is set to be released Tuesday on an unsecured $50,000 bond that comes due if he violates the terms of his release. The terms include remaining in Massachusetts, adhering to a 7 p.m. curfew, not drinking alcohol excessively and wearing a monitoring bracelet.

Prosecutors say Lightbody, a convicted felon and known mob associate, and two other partners attempted to conceal the fact that he would be profiting from the deal. The three face federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aiding and abetting, as well as other state-level charges.