Indian Gaming

Six people pleaded guilty to defrauding the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma by overbilling for construction services at the tribe's casinos.

The tribe discovered the overbilling through an audit and referred the matter to federal investigators. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma brought charges against six people who took an estimated $7 million from the tribe.

"The Choctaw Nation expects to be made whole with respect to any losses," the tribe said in a statement, the Associated Press reported. "Since legal proceedings are presently ongoing, it is not appropriate for the nation to comment further at this time."

The tribe gave the contract for casino work to Flintco, an Indian-owned firm. The company apologized to the tribe -- two of its employees pleaded guilty and former worker might be connected to the scheme.

"We highly value our relationship with the Choctaw Nation and our company's Native American heritage," CEO Tom Maxwell said in a statement that was posted on the company's web site. "We will continue to cooperate with the government and the Choctaw Nation in any further investigation of persons involved."

Get the Story:
Six guilty pleas entered in bribery schemes involving Choctaw casino construction projects (The Oklahoman 8/6)
6 people charged in Choctaw Nation casino-construction bribery probe (The Tulsa World 8/6)
Six Plead Guilty in Bribery Linked to Choctaw Casino (AP 8/6)
Tulsans Plead Guilty In Construction Bribery Probe (News on 6 6 8/5)

Related Stories:
Six indicted in connection with Choctaw Nation casino work (8/5)