LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Democratic party group is retracting statements and apologizing to billionaire Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson for what it calls untrue, unfair and unsubstantiated claims that Adelson encouraged and profited from prostitution in Macau.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee press secretary Jesse Ferguson declined comment Friday about the retraction issued Thursday.

The DCCC issued statements June 29 and July 2 saying Adelson donated “Chinese prostitution money” to Republican leaders.

Allegations that Adelson knew about prostitution at his casinos in Macau surfaced in a sworn declaration filed June 27 in Nevada state court by fired former top Sands China executive Steven Jacobs.

The company and Adelson deny wrongdoing, and Adelson filed a defamation lawsuit July 20 in Miami against Jacobs.

Adelson also owns the Venetian and Palazzo resorts in Las Vegas.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.