A woman from Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against MGM Resorts International and several affiliated entities, alleging that the company failed to protect her from a spa employee who she claims sexually assaulted her during a massage at the MGM Grand Spa in 2024.
What Happened On the Day of the Incident?
The alleged incident occurred on September 7, 2024, when the woman and her husband arrived at MGM Grand for a massage with Steven Thomas, a licensed therapist whom the couple had visited before. During the procedure, the woman fell asleep. However, sometime later, she allegedly woke up to “repeated digital penetration” by Thomas.
According to filings, the woman feared further escalation and felt exposed and vulnerable. She said she clamped her legs together, asked to use the restroom, grabbed her robe, and left the treatment room to alert spa employees and ask them to contact the police.
The lawsuit names MGM Resorts International, MGM Grand Hotel LLC, MGM Grand Spa and Salon, and other entities affiliated with MGM. It alleges negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, vicarious liability, breach of contract, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The complaint further alleges that MGM acted with “malice, oppression and conscious disregard” for the safety of its guests.
It isn’t the only recent case where a private individual is suing MGM. Earlier this summer, a former security guard for the company initiated a lawsuit against the casino, alleging he was subjected to constant mockery from his colleagues due to his cerebral palsy and speech impairment.
The Woman Is Suing MGM, But Not the Employee
Interestingly, Thomas is not named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit. However, his criminal case is outlined in court records. He was initially charged with felony sexual assault and ordered to have no contact with the woman. On February 6, 2025, he pleaded guilty to open or gross lewdness, a gross misdemeanor. He later withdrew that plea in July 2025. In November 2025, he entered a no-contest plea to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 364 days in prison.
However, the lawsuit contends that MGM is liable because Thomas was performing spa services in the course of his employment. It also alleges that MGM had actual or constructive knowledge of prior misconduct involving spa or hotel employees, although the complaint does not identify any specific previous incidents. The woman’s attorneys allege that MGM failed to conduct adequate background checks, properly train staff on professional boundaries, or adequately monitor employees who allegedly exhibited concerning behavior.
The woman is seeking more than $15,000 in damages, as well as compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, attorney fees, and interest, alongside punitive damages.
In more positive news about MGM, the company recently issued over 200 grants to various charities across the US.