NIGC reaches settlement with Swinomish Tribe

Wednesday, November 29, 2006  

The National Indian Gaming Commission signed a settlement with the Swinomish Tribe of Washington over auditing at the tribe's casino.

NIGC began an investigation after the tribe failed to submit an audit report for fiscal year 2005. The tribe was hit with a notice of violation [NOV-06-16] under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The investigation uncovered the reasons for the late report, the NIGC said. The agency cited "several problems" with the handling of gaming revenues by casino management.

To resolve the dispute, the tribe has agreed to "take appropriate licensing actions" for the casino managers and will institute new regulations and policies. "This settlement agreement addresses serious issues that allowed a misapplication of tribal gaming revenues and placed future revenue in jeopardy because of actions of individuals and the deficiency of controls to protect those assets," said NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen.

The settlement agreement [NOV SA-06-16] was finalized last week.