Regulation

Ex-Creek Nation leader who took funds to gamble sentenced

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Roger Dana Barnett. Photo from Muscogee Nation

Roger Dana Barnett, the former second chief of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison and will be required to undergo addiction treatment after he admitted he used tribal funds to gamble.

After being indicted last August, Barnett filed a petition to plead guilty in October. He admitted that he took a tribal credit card to casinos in the area and withdrew money in order to gamble.

"The defendant abused his position of trust,” U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. said in a press release. “Muscogee (Creek) Nation officials reported the misuse of tribal funds after an internal audit. We will continue to work with tribal government and law enforcement partners to bring those who abuse the system to justice.”

Barnett, 53, was ordered to pay $211,880.76 in restitution to the tribe as part of his sentence. He also must stay away from gaming facilities during three years of supervised release.

"The sentence handed down today to former Muscogee (Creek) Nation Second Chief Roger Barnett by the U.S. Northern District of Oklahoma Court was felt throughout the Nation," Chief George Tiger said in a statement. "The Muscogee (Creek) Nation continues to heal and unify during these trying times, but we will reemerge stronger and will persevere. We ask that all tribal citizens, employees and media respect the privacy of Mr. Barnett and his family, and we continue to pray for him and his family. That is the Mvskoke Way."

Louis Hicks now serves as second chief of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Former tribal leader headed to prison (KRMG 5/5)
Former Second Chief Of Creek Nation Sentenced To Prison (News on 6 5/5)
Former MCN Second Chief gets jail time for embezzlng tribal funds (The Native American Times 5/6)
Former Creek Nation deputy chief gets 33 months in embezzlement case (The Tulsa World 5/6)