Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Indian Gaming remains vulnerable to criminal elements: Pechanga's former Tribal Spokesperson's Son a Thief

Pechanga's former Tribal Spokesperson's son was fired for stealing employees tips. Of course, she fought for her thieving son to not be fired. Stealing from the employees, damaging the tribe's shaky credibility and yet, he was not disenrolled. Why?

U.S. Attorney cites threat to Indian gaming from criminals

U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling of the Eastern District of Oklahoma says Indian gaming remains vulnerable to criminal elements.
Sperling successfully prosecuted Ivy Kwok Ong for tax fraud and bribery. Ong was able to infiltrate the
Seminole Nation's gaming operation despite his criminal record, Sperling said.
Ong supplied electronic gaming machines to the tribe and took a share of the revenues in violation of federal law. But his arrangements were never reviewed by the
National Indian Gaming Commission, which would have discovered his criminal past as part of a routine background check, Sperling said.
"This was a man who should never have been allowed anywhere near an Indian gaming facility,” Sperling said after Ong was sentenced to 39 months in federal prison, The Oklahoman reported. "Until we have a method of tracing not only those who manage, but also those who supply or invest in tribal casinos, Indian Country remains vulnerable to infiltration by those like defendant Ong.” The Seminole Nation was forced to shut down its gaming facilities and pay a hefty fine to the NIGC for its dealings with Ong, who also sought to open a casino with the
Shinnecock Nation of New York.

Story here

2 comments:

  1. The National Indian Gaming Commission needs to take a close look at what the Pechanga Tribe in Temecula is doing. Child molesters living on the reservation right next door to public schools, Tribal members stealing from others in the Casino and rampant corruption ? FBI TAKE A LOOK.

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  2. In Massachusetts we have a tribe with an unfortunate history of corruption and illegal activities. They are seeking status and a special carve out in upcoming casino gaming legislation. They'll likely be a sore spot that tarnishes other tribes should they be allowed to move forward. http://wampaleaks.blogspot.com

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