Quapaw tribe charges former leader with embezzlement
The Associated Press
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QUAPAW, Okla. (AP) The former chairman and secretary-treasurer for the Quapaw Nation have been charged in tribal court with embezzlement, abuse of office and other charges.
Former Chairman John Berrey was charged Friday with 11 criminal counts, while former Secretary-Treasurer Tamara Smiley-Reeves was charged with seven counts. Each count is punishable by up to three years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Some counts also are punishable by permanent ban from the tribe.
The charges stem from a forensic audit and investigation that was initiated in June 2020 by the Quapaw Nation Gaming Authority.
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.”