Trial underway in Muscogee Nation court in tobacco bribes case

Thursday, November 17, 2011  

Three former employees of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma are on trial for allegedly accepting bribes from a tobacco wholesaler.

Edward C. Warrington, Gene Antone Lee and Dana M. Johnson were charged with bribery in May, The Tulsa World reports. Tribal prosecutors say they took money from Randy Benham, the owner of Briggs Wholesale Tobacco Co., which supplies tobacco to Muscogee smokeshops.

A bribe was also offered to Chief A.D. Ellis, who reported it to tribal police. He testified in the trial, the World reported, but has not been charged with a crime.

Ellis previously told the paper that the FBI is looking into the case.

Get the Story:
Prosecution rests in Creek tribal court sting trial (The Tulsa World 11/17)

Muscogee Nation chief pushes for corruption investigation (6/6)