Choctaw Nation casino employee accused of stealing from facility

Thursday, March 10, 2016  

A view of the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma. Photo from Facebook

Another former employee of a casino owned by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has been indicted in federal court.

Charles Blair Smallwood, 24, is charged with one count of Theft By Officers Or Employees Of Gaming Establishment On Indian Lands, according to the indictment. Details are scarce but he allegedly stole more than $1,000 from the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant.

"The charges arose from an investigation by the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release.

Smallwood is the third former employee of the Durant casino to be charged with theft in recent months. The facility also was at the center of a massive federal corruption case that led to convictions against eight people.

Smallwood is due for arraignment at the federal court in Muskogee on March 16.

Choctaw Nation Casino Corruption Trial Coverage:
Former Choctaw Nation official sentenced in casino fraud case (06/02)
Former Choctaw Nation official sentenced in casino fraud case (06/02)
Judge weighs sentence in Choctaw Nation casino fraud case (05/13)
Last defendant to be sentenced for Choctaw Nation casino fraud (4/27)
FBI agent discusses probe in Choctaw Nation casino fraud case (4/8)
Former Choctaw Nation employee plans appeal in criminal case (11/24)
Former employee found guilty for cheating Choctaw Nation (11/21)
Choctaw Nation releases statement after guilty verdict (11/21)
Trial into Choctaw Nation fraud winds down with final testimony (11/20)
Leader of Choctaw Nation faces tough questions in criminal trial (11/19)
Former leader of Choctaw Nation testifies in criminal trial (11/18)
Anticipation builds for testimony of Choctaw Nation leaders (11/17)
Trial exposes fraud against Choctaw Nation for gaming project (11/14)
Trial continues in theft linked to Choctaw Nation casino work (11/07)
Trial opens in case connected to Choctaw Nation casino work (10/31)
Choctaw Nation audit uncovered overbilling for casino work (08/06)
Six indicted in connection with Choctaw Nation casino work (08/05)

Former workers at Choctaw Nation casino plead guilty to theft (07/30)
Former employees of Choctaw Nation casino charged with theft (6/11)