Quapaw leader steps down from board overseeing casino

Friday, April 30, 2010  

J.R. Mathews, the vice chairman of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, resigned from his post on the board that oversees the Downstream Casino Resort, as vice chairman of the tribe and as treasurer of the National Indian Gaming Association, effective May 15.

Mathews was serving as vice chairman of the Downstream Development Authority. He has been accused of illegally profiting from the casino but a spokesperson said he stepped down for personal reasons.

"This is not related to some false allegations that surfaced back in March against J. R. and other DDA members, even though I realize it might look that way because of the timing,” the spokesperson told The Joplin Globe in an e-mail. “Those politically motivated allegations were false and not a reason for anyone to resign.”

A report from the tribe's grievance committee said Matthews and two other tribal leaders gave themselves large salaries and substantial bonuses and used tribal funds for personal expenditures and trips. Mathews, Chairman John Berrey and Treasurer George “Ranny” McWatters have denied any wrongdoing.

Get the Story:
Press Release: J R Mathews Resigns as Vice Chairman of the Down Stream Development Authority, the Quapaw Tribal Business Committee and as Treasurer of the National Indian Gaming Association (JR Mathews 4/30)
Tribe member resigns from Downstream Development Authority (The Joplin Globe 4/30)

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

Earlier Stories:
Quapaw Tribe official recants report on gaming allegations (4/8)
Opinion: Quapaw chairman manipulates tribal regulations (4/7)
Quapaw chairman won't call meeting over gaming report (4/2)
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)