Another guilty plea in theft of gaming funds from Winnebago Tribe

Wednesday, May 24, 2017  

A second former council member for the Winnebago Tribe is pleading guilty in connection with the theft of gaming funds.

Louis Houghton, 70, was the former secretary of the tribe. He is admitting to one count of willful misapplication of gaming funds, according to a plea agreement submitted on Monday.

According to the agreement, funds from the WinnaVegas Casino Resort were used to load pre-paid debit cards, which were then given to Houghton and other council members. The document indicates Houghton accepted $27,000 on the cards over the course of two years.

A total of nine former leaders -- including former longtime chairman John Blackhawk -- were indicted in connection with the scheme. The charges arose after the tribe ordered an internal audit of the council's finances.

The leaders are being prosecuted in Nebraska, where tribal headquarters are located. WinneVegas is on trust land in Iowa.

Read More on the Story:
Former Winnebago tribal officer pleads guilty to theft (The Lincoln Journal Star 5/22)
Another former tribal leader pleads guilty in casino theft (AP 5/23)

Former leader of Winnebago Tribe pleads guilty in gaming theft case (May 9, 2017)