Former Quapaw Nation Chairman John Berrey.
Credit Quapaw Nation
The charges were filed in Quapaw Nation Court on Friday, one day before citizens could officially declare their candidacy in the upcoming election for the Business Committee. Berrey, a 20 year incumbent, was defeated last summer by Joseph Tali Byrd and Guy Barker.
In addition to the charges against Berrey and Smiley-Reeves, civil charges were also filed against Jack Brill, Tena Smith, Janet Cummings, Sheri Smiley, Marilyn Rogers and George McWatters. All were employees or involved in Berrey s administration.
Special prosecutor Doug Dry handed down 18 total indictments, each carrying three year prison sentences and a $15,000 fine. According to
Ex-Quapaw tribal leaders indicted for embezzlement koamnewsnow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from koamnewsnow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Quapaw Nation charges former leader and others with embezzlement
Quapaw Nation charges former leader and others with embezzlement
JOHN BERREY: Former Quapaw leader charged with embezzlement.
The
Quapaw Nation, owner of the Saracen casino in Pine Bluff, announced today criminal charges and a civil complaint against
John Berrey, the former leader of the tribe, and other former tribal officials for misspending millions for unauthorized pay and bonuses and using casino proceeds for personal purposes.
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Berrey, who was ousted as tribal leader last year and planned to seek tribal office again this year, sent an email response to KOSU:
“The latest events are just more efforts to defame. It was posted the day filing for candidacy opened and it’s an attempt to stop me. I look forward to clearing my name and running for vice chairman of the Quapaw Nation and begin to heal our Nation.”