Steve Wynn is trying to guilt his employees into support after sexual assault claims

Steve Wynn is betting on his employees’ loyalty, as his company faces fallout from sexual harassment allegations.

The casino mogul and, until last week, Republican National Committee finance chairman, has been urging Wynn Resorts employees to rally behind him following recent reports that he sexually assaulted and harassed women who worked for him over decades, according to the Wall Street Journal. He has denied any wrongdoing.

In closed-door meetings with his staff, he reminded them how his Vegas-headquartered company, which employs about 25,000 people, according to Forbes, stood behind them during tough times, avoiding layoffs during the recession. “We were a family,” he told his employees, according to recordings they made that were obtained by the Journal. “It wasn’t every man for himself. And that family culture has made us great.”

Last week, the Journal reported that dozens of people who had worked for Wynn Resorts said that Wynn, 76, had repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct while visiting his properties. A manicurist who worked for Wynn said he had coerced her into having sex with him; a masseuse said she was pressured to perform sex acts on Wynn during massages.

“The idea that I ever assaulted any woman is preposterous,” Wynn told the Journal in response to the allegations.

Following the publication of the Wall Street Journal’s report last Friday, Wynn stepped down from his post as the RNC’s finance chairman, and some GOP groups have called for returning the money he donated. In the meetings with employees, he said he just wanted to shield the organization from “all of this publicity.”

READ MORE: RNC sees big difference between Steve Wynn and Harvey Weinstein, who didn’t donate to them

He stressed that Wynn Resorts is a special place to work, and asked his employees if “you all still feel that way.” Some employees in the room could be heard replying that it was.

“Good. Just so long as that doesn’t bug any of you, I’m happy, and I’m happy if you’re happy,” Wynn said. “Your jobs will be secure, and your incomes will increase, and you’ll have a chance for a better future as this company grows and moves ahead.”

“The purpose of Mr. Wynn meeting with employees was not to ask for their support,” Wynn Resorts spokes Michael Weaver told VICE News in an email. “Rather, in a week in which the company and Mr. Wynn have received significant media coverage, Mr. Wynn met with employees to reassure them and express his appreciation to them for not being distracted and remaining focused on guests.”

Wynn Resorts’ stock price is down more than 15 percent since the reports of sexual misconduct surfaced, and the Massachusetts Gambling Commission is considering revoking Wynn’s license to build a $2.4 billion casino outside of Boston.