Quapaw chairman won't call meeting over gaming report

Friday, April 2, 2010  

The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma won't be convening for a general council meeting to discuss allegations in a gaming report, Chairman John Berrey said.

The report from the Quapaw Grievance Committee accused Berrey, Vice Chairman J.R. Matthews and Treasurer George “Ranny” McWatters of "personally and unjustifiably" profiting from the Downstream Casino Resort. But Berrey, who denied the allegations, won't call a council meeting because he said the committee is acting without authority.

Jim Greenfeather, a committee member, disagrees. He said the report shows the three tribal leaders, who serve on the Downstream Development Authority, misused tribal funds.

"I think the governing body, the general council, should be the ones that says 'yes' to this," Greenfeather told KOAM-TV.

Get the Story:
Downstream Casino officials accused of misusing funds deny doing anything wrong (KOAM-TV 4/1)

Relevant Documents:
Grievance Committee Report (March 20, 2010)

Earlier Stories:
BIA not involved in gaming dispute within Quapaw Tribe (3/31)
BIA asks Quapaw leaders to answer to casino allegations (3/30)
Quapaw chairman dismisses allegations in gaming report (3/29)
Quapaw leaders accused of wrongly profiting from casino (3/23)