LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Aria Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is currently dealing with a management employee who has been accused of committing multiple offenses. This individual is now facing 15 charges for their alleged involvement in a scheme to embezzle over $770K. The employee is believed to have accomplished this by generating false hotel reservation refunds and directing the funds onto their personal credit cards.
According to his arrest report, Brandon Rashad Johnson, aged 38, has been working as a hotel operations manager for MGM Resorts International properties since 2013. He allegedly used the embezzled money to lead an extravagant lifestyle, indulging in luxury shopping at brands like Louis Vuitton and Versace. He also enjoyed the perks of flying on private jets, visiting spas, attending shows, and even purchasing a house.
Brandon Rasheed Johnson, a former manager at Aria, is currently confronting various theft charges for reportedly pilfering from his employer, MGM Grand Resorts International. (Credit: LVMPD)
According to reports in early July 2023, a hotel manager grew suspicious of Johnson when he noticed his extravagant purchases and suspected him of potentially conducting fraudulent reservation refunds using his credit card. Although Johnson had the necessary authorization to issue refunds, an internal audit and investigation initiated on July 25 revealed that he had made a total of 309 refunds to a single Visa credit card number, as indicated in the documents.
From July 2022 to July 2023, the transactions occurred over a span of 12 months. Just four days after the investigation was initiated, Johnson abruptly resigned from his position by sending a text message. On July 27, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was informed about the suspected theft and promptly commenced their investigation.
According to an arrest report, one of Aria’s colleagues informed the police that Johnson had been lavishing her with gifts and treating her to luxurious dates. When she inquired about the source of his funds, Johnson claimed he earned it as a private chef for upscale hotel guests. This raised suspicions for the colleague, leading her to investigate Johnson’s financial transactions. She discovered that all the money was being funneled into a single credit card, prompting her to notify management.
On August 31, a law firm, Las Vegas Defense Group, contacted Metro Police to report that they were representing Johnson, who surrendered to police on September 1. At that time, he exercised his 5th and 6th Amendment rights.
According to the arrest report, Johnson is accused of engaging in a series of transactions over a span of one year. In July 2022, the first two transactions amounted to $6,400. However, in July 2023, Johnson allegedly conducted a staggering 37 transactions, accumulating a total of nearly $110,000.
Johnson is facing 15 charges.
Two counts of theft exceeding $5,000 but not surpassing $25,000.
There are nine counts of theft ranging from over $25K to less than $100K.
Two counts of theft exceeding $100K.
Money laundering or the act of attempting to launder money
Acts of criminal activity committed using computers or digital technology.
Johnson is presently detained at the Clark County Detention Center without bail being set. A source hearing is scheduled for September 11, during which he must demonstrate that the funds he intends to use for bail are not unlawfully obtained. His preliminary hearing is set to take place on September 19.
