Openings & Closings | Opinion

Former employee found guilty for cheating Choctaw Nation

Friday, November 21, 2014

Jason Merida, the former head of construction for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is seen on a 2009 hunting excursion that was financed by a company that defrauded the tribe. Photo from Pueblo of Acoma Big Game Trophy Hunts

A former Choctaw Nation employee who oversaw millions of dollars in casino contracts was found guilty on Thursday after a lengthy trial that captured the attention of the Oklahoma tribe.

Jason Merida, the former head of construction for the third largest tribe in the U.S., was convicted of six out of seven bribery, theft, money laundering and tax fraud charges. He admitted he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts, trips and items of value from companies that performed casino work.

The guilty verdict was returned by the jury late last night, KTEN reported. Merida is now the seventh person convicted in a case that started when the tribe discovered it had been cheated into purchasing $8.5 million in steel for a casino expansion project.

But federal prosecutors warned that their investigation isn't over. At least one co-conspirator -- believed to be a former employee of an outside company -- has been mentioned in court documents.

"I think he's guilty of what they say he is, a conspiracy, but he had help," Aron Allen, a Choctaw citizen who attended the three-week trial at the federal courthouse in Muskogee told KTEN.

In court papers and in closing arguments, Merida's attorneys pointed the blame at Chief Gary Batton, who was assistant chief until April, and former chief Greg Pyle, who retired in April. Both leaders testified earlier this week but neither have been charged with any crimes although they also accepted gifts from outside companies.

Federal prosecutor Doug Horn told the jury that he was 'no apologist for Pyle and Batton and what they do," The Muskogee Phoenix reported. He said Merida bought into a culture of corruption “that permeated the Choctaw Nation," the paper added.

"I applaud the United States Attorney's office for shining this bright light on the corruption that has long plagued the Choctaw Nation," Kalyn Free, a prominent tribal citizen who also attended the proceedings, said on Facebook. "Tonight I will rest easier knowing that the investigation continues and pray that justice will be served. "

A sentencing date for Merida or the other six defendants who pleaded guilty hasn't been set. Merida was allowed to remain free.

“Greed can be a terrible vice! In this case, Jason Merida and his co-conspirators placed their personal gain above the interests of the Choctaw Nation and its members," U.S. Attorney Mark Green said in a press release. "This verdict is a prime example of justice served when officials abuse a public trust.”

The case was the result of a joint investigation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. Federal agents testified during the trial.

“Last night’s guilty verdict is loud and clear: bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and tax fraud are not acceptable business practices to gain contracts with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma,” R. Damon Rowe, the special agent in charge for the Dallas Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation, said in the press release. “IRS will use every means available to identify and investigate those individuals who utilize illegal means to gain lucrative contracts to the detriment of the Choctaw Nation and to the American taxpayer.”

"The conviction of Jason Merida should serve as a reminder for all public officials to honor their respective offices," added James Finch, a special agent at the FBI. "Corrupt public officials mar the trust which must exist between citizenry and government, and rob the public of the expectation that public officials will exercise good stewardship of their trust. The FBI and its investigative partners will continue to pursue and bring to justice all who soil their office."

Get the Story:
Ex-Choctaw Nation Exec Trial Wraps Up With Explosive Allegations And Guilty Verdict (KTEN 11/20)
Choctaw Nation official convicted in bribery case (The Tulsa World 11/21)
Jury gets Choctaw corruption case (The Muskogee Phoenix 11/21)
Former official confirms he accepted gifts, cash from contractors (The Native American Times 11/21)

Relevant Documents:
Indictment: US v. Jason Brett Merida | Record of FBI Interview | Memorandum of Interview from Department of Treasury | Trial Brief by US Attorney's Office | Jason Merida Brief Accusing Batton and Pyle | US Motion Seeking to Prevent Jason Merida from Bringing up Batton and Pyle | Flintco Statement | Michael Burrage Email: Batton and Pyle Accepted Gifts