The Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, California. Photo from Elite Construction
The former general counsel for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians in California was sentenced for his role in a gaming scam. Gary Edward Kovall pleaded guilty to bribery charges. He admitted that he steered contracts at the Spotlight 29 Casino to companies he controlled and received a two-year sentence for his crimes. Kovall was among four people, including his wife, who were indicted for stealing from the tribe. Three have pleaded guilty. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the trio enriched themselves of contracts worth $2.8 million. The tribe, however, has put the damages at $20 million. Get the Story:
Tribe's former attorney sentenced in kickbacks scheme (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 3/5)
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