Man hopes DNA proves Wynn connection

Kim Smith

Monday, June 10, 2002 | 9:07 a.m.

A man scheduled to go to trial next month on charges of trying to extort casino mogul Steve Wynn says he will plead guilty if DNA tests show he is not Wynn's half-brother.

In a letter to the Sun, Donald Phillips says he has been trying for more than two years to have his blood compared to Wynn's, whom he calls his "notorious, ruthless" brother.

"I want the public to know that I challenge Steve to a DNA match and as soon as possible. I've been locked up and put thru (sic) hell enough," Phillips wrote in his letter. "If I don't match Steve's DNA, I will plead guilty to all charges on me."

Phillips goes on to write, "I would prefer the FBI to do the testing, but I will take a chance with Clark County. Steve can buy a lot in Clark County."

According to court documents, Phillips, 47, sent more than a dozen letters to Wynn and left three voice mail messages demanding his share of an inheritance.

In his letter Phillips claims his father's estate included "$100 million and the Four Queens Casino" and Wynn owes him half of it.

Phillips, who was recently deemed mentally competent to stand trial, was indicted in August 2001 on 18 counts of extortion and one count each of aggravated stalking and attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying.

Steve Wynn told grand jurors that he has never met Phillips and has no relationship with him.

Deputy Public Defender Elizabeth Quillin, however, has filed a motion asking District Judge John McGroarty to compel Wynn to submit to a DNA analysis.

According to grand jury testimony, one of the letters Phillips sent to Wynn included hair and nail clippings.

Phillips said the months he spent in a state mental institution were just meant to wear him down "because I am for real, the real McCoy. I am Steve (Vici) Wynn's half-brother. My father's name, who was a notorious Mafia boss (Italian) was named Julian Vici."

"The DA (Abbi) Silver and my lawyer Ms. Q has been trying to wear me down because I told them from the beginning that their (sic) was going to be NO pleas, NO deals, not for a day I told them."