Rep. Susie Lee | Rep. Susie Lee - Facebook
Rep. Susie Lee | Rep. Susie Lee - Facebook
Democrat Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee has announced that she and her husband are divorcing after last year's allegations that his casino business fraudulently received millions of dollars in government-backed loans.
On May 28, Rep. Lee released this statement: “In a difficult but mutual decision, my husband, Dan, and I have decided to end our marriage.”
“While this is a tough time for our family, we are fully committed to continuing to co-parent our two smart, compassionate and conscientious children" Lee said. "Dan and I have raised them together for the past 21 years and we have the utmost respect for one another.”
In April 2020, Lee requested that the federal government expand coronavirus aid to the Nevada gambling industry, which includes Full House Resorts led by her husband, CEO Daniel Lee.
“Every day that passes without relief results in further harm to those businesses' employees and their families,” Lee wrote in a letter to the heads of the U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration, as reported by the Daily Beast. “For the (Small Business Administration) to take the position that these small businesses are not eligible for needed aid because of their involvement in the gaming industry belies the economic realities of their location and will doom countless small businesses in Nevada to bankruptcy.”
During the 2020 campaign, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Republican challenger Dan Rodimer claimed Lee pushed legislation to extend the Paycheck Protection Program loans to gaming companies on behalf of her husband, but Lee dismissed the allegations as partisan attacks, claiming she joined the entire state delegation in calling for the changes.
“She is not involved in any aspect of Full House’s business or decision making,” a Rep. Lee spokesperson said, the Daily Beast reported. “She had no influence over the decision to file the application, and she had no influence over whether or not that application was approved or denied. The conditions and details under which Full House Resorts received its PPP loan are entirely between Full House Resorts and regulators.”
Full House Resorts received approximately $5.6 million after the PPP loans were extended to gaming companies.
As reported by 360 News Las Vegas, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Full House Resorts reportedly used the government-backed loans to rehire hundreds of workers at two of its casinos, neither of which are located in Nevada.
Lee represents Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, which covers parts of Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City, as well as part of the state's southern border. Nevada's 3rd Congressional District is also considered a swing district.