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Tennessee Woman Sues MGM Grand Over Alleged Spa Assault: Case Breakdown and Legal Context

By jili tutorial · September 11, 2026

Tennessee Woman Sues MGM Grand Over Alleged Spa Assault: Case Breakdown and Legal Context

Overview

A woman from Tennessee has filed a civil lawsuit against MGM Resorts International and multiple affiliated companies, claiming that the resort failed to protect her from a spa employee who allegedly sexually assaulted her during a massage at the MGM Grand Spa. The lawsuit centers on an incident that took place on September 7, 2024, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The woman is not suing the employee directly, but rather holding MGM responsible for his actions while he was on the job.

This article breaks down the alleged incident, the legal claims against MGM, the criminal case against the employee, and the broader context surrounding the lawsuit.

What Happened on the Day of the Incident?

According to the complaint, the woman and her husband arrived at MGM Grand for a massage with Steven Thomas, a licensed therapist whom the couple had visited before. The couple was familiar with Thomas, which made the alleged assault particularly shocking.

During the massage, the woman fell asleep. Sometime later, she said she woke up to what she described as “repeated digital penetration” by Thomas. Fearing the situation could escalate, she felt exposed and vulnerable. She clamped her legs together, asked to use the restroom, grabbed her robe, and left the treatment room. She then alerted spa employees and asked them to contact the police.

The incident report in the lawsuit frames Thomas’s alleged actions as a serious breach of trust, as well as a failure by MGM to maintain a safe environment for guests receiving spa services.

The Civil Lawsuit: Why MGM Is Being Sued

The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including:

The complaint alleges that MGM is liable under several legal theories:

The plaintiff further alleges that MGM acted with “malice, oppression and conscious disregard” for the safety of its guests. This kind of language matters in a lawsuit because it can support a claim for punitive damages, which are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

The Criminal Case Against Steven Thomas

Although Thomas is not named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit, his criminal case is outlined in court records.

A no-contest plea means Thomas did not admit guilt, but he accepted the punishment. The criminal case and the civil case are separate legal proceedings. A criminal conviction can be used as evidence in a civil case, but a civil lawsuit can move forward even if the criminal case is resolved differently.

Negligence and Negligent Hiring

The lawsuit alleges that MGM failed to conduct adequate background checks, properly train staff on professional boundaries, and adequately monitor employees who allegedly exhibited concerning behavior. In a hospitality setting, employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that guests are not harmed by staff. If the plaintiff can show that MGM knew or should have known about potential risks, the company could be held liable.

Vicarious Liability

Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that holds an employer responsible for the actions of an employee performed within the scope of employment. Because Thomas was providing spa services at the time of the alleged incident, the lawsuit argues that MGM is responsible for his conduct, even if the company did not directly authorize the alleged assault.

Breach of Contract and Good Faith

When a guest books a massage at a hotel spa, there is an implied promise that the service will be safe and professional. The lawsuit argues that MGM violated that promise by allowing a harmful incident to occur. The “covenant of good faith and fair dealing” refers to the basic expectation that both parties in a contract will act honestly and fairly.

Why Isn’t the Employee Named in the Civil Suit?

This may seem surprising, but it is a common legal strategy. By naming MGM instead of Thomas, the plaintiff can pursue compensation from a large corporation with substantial financial resources. Also, Thomas’s criminal conviction means he may not have the ability to pay a civil judgment. Naming MGM allows the plaintiff to focus on the company’s alleged failures in hiring, training, supervision, and guest safety.

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. The complaint does not identify any specific previous incidents, but the allegation suggests the company may have ignored warning signs.

What the Woman Is Seeking

The plaintiff is seeking more than $15,000 in damages, along with additional compensation for:

She is also asking for punitive damages, which would go beyond compensating her for losses and instead punish MGM for its alleged conduct.

This is not the only recent legal challenge involving MGM. Earlier in the summer, a former security guard filed a lawsuit against the casino company, alleging that he was subjected to constant mockery from colleagues because of his cerebral palsy and speech impairment. That case, like the spa incident, raises questions about workplace culture and whether MGM adequately responded to employee behavior.

Taken together, these lawsuits paint a picture of a major hospitality company facing scrutiny over how it handles both guest safety and internal workplace conduct.

What This Means for Hotel and Spa Guests

This case is a reminder that hotel and spa services involve a high level of trust. Guests place themselves in vulnerable positions, and they expect the staff to act professionally. If the allegations against MGM are proven, they would represent a serious failure to uphold that trust.

For guests, the case highlights the importance of:

Hospitality companies should also take note: thorough background checks, clear professional boundaries training, and active supervision are not optional. They are essential components of guest safety.

MGM’s Recent Community Grants

In more positive news about MGM, the company recently issued over 200 grants to various charities across the United States. Those grants reflect MGM’s broader community engagement efforts. However, the legal cases described above remain separate matters and will be resolved through the court system.

Bottom Line

The lawsuit filed by the Tennessee woman against MGM Grand raises serious questions about accountability, guest safety, and employee supervision. While Steven Thomas faces criminal consequences, the civil case seeks to hold MGM financially responsible for its role. The outcome could have implications for how hotels and spas across the country handle hiring, training, and guest protections.