Former Muscogee Nation employees convicted in bribery case

Friday, November 18, 2011  

Two former employees of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma were found guilty of accepting bribes from a tobacco wholesaler.

Former tribal tax commissioner Dana M. Johnson and former warehouse manager Gene Antone Lee took money from Randy Benham, the owner of Briggs Wholesale Tobacco Co., which supplies tobacco to Muscogee smokeshops. They face sentencing next month.

"We are gratified with the jury's decision," Rod Wiemer, a special prosecutor for the tribe, told The Tulsa World."This was a serious case involving criminal allegations, and we are grateful that the jury took the case seriously and rendered their verdict."

A third employee who was charged in the case is expected to plead guilty, the paper reported.

Get the Story:
Two Creek Nation ex-employees convicted of bribery (The Tulsa World 11/18)

Related Stories:
Trial underway in Muscogee Nation court in tobacco bribes case (11/17)
Muscogee Nation chief pushes for corruption investigation (6/6)