Sandy Seda, the former security chief at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino who had his gaming registration suspended by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, had that action reversed by the Gaming Commission – allowing him to reapply to work in the industry.
In a rare move amid unusual disagreement among the gaming regulators, the Gaming Commission on Thursday in a 3-2 vote reversed the Gaming Control Board’s prohibition of Seda working as a gaming employee. It suspended his registration over allegations of spousal abuse, which Seda denied in front of the Commission during a 35-minute hearing. Seda eventually pled guilty to disturbing the peace in November after already losing his ability to work in gaming.
If Seda, who served as police chief at UNLV and College of Southern Nevada before entering the casino industry, seeks future employment in the industry, he can reapply for a registration and the Gaming Control Board won’t object, based on the consideration by the Commission.
The two retired judges on the Commission, Chair Jennifer Togliatti and Abbi Silver, voted to back the Gaming Control Board. The other three members, Rosa Solis-Rainey, Brian Krolicki, and George Markantonis, voted to reverse the suspension.
Seda’s criminal defense attorney Michael Becker told the Commission that his client, a former Marine who served in Iraq, has had an illustrious career in law enforcement and has no other marks on his record.
The guilty plea on one count of disturbing the peace doesn’t isn’t a felony, gross misdemeanor, or crime of moral turpitude, any of which would be the basis for not being registered, Becker said.
“This was certainly the low point for Mr. Seda,” Becker said. “His marriage fell apart and he was in a toxic relationship that resulted in charges being filed and later dismissed. The only thing on his record is disturbing the peace.”
Becker said the suspension was based on accusations rather than the final disposition in the case. That doesn’t happen with other licensing, such as for a doctor or lawyer. That means the Board and Commission are denied the ability to make credible findings. Becker said Seda is now divorced and shares 50-50 custody of two teenage children.
“He lost his job as a security chief, which he couldn’t do without a license, and he’s been out of the industry for over a year,” Becker said. “We ask the Commission to view this as a slight blemish on an otherwise illustrious career and a struggle in life, which he’s overcome. He wants to get back to work.”
Seda called 2024 the “worst year of my life.” He also underwent back surgery with screws inserted and was in a wheelchair at one point.
Solis-Rainey said she’s glad his legal matter was resolved, though it wasn’t when he was before the Board.
“That important factoid that was on the record and part of consideration is no longer applicable,” Krolicki said. “You are 22 years in the Marine Corps and 20 years between UNLV and the College of Southern Nevada. Something happened at your house that was unfortunate, but as far as I can see, it’s the only issue in your life that hasn’t been exemplary. It was one bad hour during one afternoon.”
Togliatti countered that it wasn’t one bad hour, because Seda denied what happened. She called domestic violence serious and complicated, with reasons why victims recant or don’t seek protective orders or have the person arrested for stalking. It may be embarrassing or cause their former spouse to lose their job and ability to pay child support.
“I appreciate your service, but I can’t ignore some of the more salient details in these records.” Togliatti said that to reverse the Board, she would have to ignore bruises on his ex-wife’s back and chest at the time of the allegations. “This isn’t criminal court, and it doesn’t need to be reasonable doubt,” Togliatti said in a stern tone.
Seda’s ex-wife works as a civilian employee for the Metropolitan Police Department.
“These are very serious allegations and when I look at the totality of what happened, the evidence is quite strong. I won’t be supporting a reversal.”
According Seda, his wife testified that she hit herself during an argument. She’s also been taking karate classes for more than five years, spars on a weekly basis, and competes.
“I’ve never touched her. I know better than that,” Seda said. “I’m a good man and good father and good husband, despite having this divorce go through. My mother and father raised me the right way. This was all about child custody.”
Solis-Rainey, in making the motion to reverse the Board, said she doesn’t want to minimize the importance of domestic violence and people coming forward, but she’s also seen the flip side, in which unjustified accusations are difficult to overcome. “I don’t feel the facts are as strong as others do.”
Markantonis said he respects the Board and Commission and process, but he’s taking into account his service to the country and city and thinking about the children.
Before the vote, Krolicki concluded that the evidence isn’t clear, with “much interpretation.” He said it “pains me” to go against two of the judges sitting on the Commission. “I’m still not sure what happened that afternoon. We could all speculate, but I don’t know.”
