Former Seminole casino partner to plead guilty

Friday, September 21, 2007  

A former casino developer for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is expected to plead guilty to making illegal payments to tribal officials.

Ivy Ong was named Thursday in a federal indictment. Prosecutors said he made nearly $60,000 in payments to tribal officials in order "to curry favor and deliver rewards to those officials,” The Oklahoman reported.

Seminole Chief Kelly Haney plans to attend Ong's hearing to see if Ong names people who were involved in the matter. "We don't know who they are at the moment, but maybe Ivy Ong will have some names that can be pursued," Haney told the paper.

The tribe was fined $11 million by the National Indian Gaming Commission over its dealings with Ong, who was fined $5 million.

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Guilty plea expected in casino corruption (The Oklahoman 9/21)
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