Hard Rock International has suspended a senior Vice President executive as it investigates serious allegations of money laundering at one of its largest resorts in the Caribbean.
Alex Pariente, the company’s Senior Vice President for Hotel and Casino Operations, has been suspended without pay pending the results of the investigation.
The action comes just weeks after a whistleblower, who is also a federal informant, made explosive claims of an alleged structuring scheme at the Hard Rock Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Pariente is accused of allowing a number of illegal bookmakers to gamble large sums at the resort.
Among those named was Matt Bowyer, a Southern California bookie known for his role in the Ippei Mizuhara betting scandal involving the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani.
Hard Rock addressed the situation in a formal statement. “Hard Rock International is aware of the allegations involving one of our executives and is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness,” the company wrote. “Honesty and integrity are core values of our organization, and we hold all team members — regardless of their role — to the highest ethical standards.”
The timing of the suspension is particularly sensitive for the company, as Hard Rock International is currently mobilizing its high-profile bid for one of three lucrative downstate New York casino licenses.
Pariente, who has been based in South Florida, has extensive experience in the Caribbean casino and hospitality sector, with previous executive roles at the Baha Mar resort complex in the Bahamas and an earlier stint as Chief Gaming Officer at Hard Rock Punta Cana.
