Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA - Crime doesn’t pay for employees of the Cherokee Casino. Dudley Jim Waller, a former mid-level casino manager, recently pled guilty to attempted embezzlement charges and is now facing up to 20 years in prison, $1 million in fines and restitution to the casino. Authorities believe Waller may have embezzled thousands of dollars over a five-month period."Employees became suspicious of him and they alerted authorities to the fact that there may be a problem," said Jim Frazier, investigator with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. "This was a huge effort on the part of the employees to police themselves and protect their organization. Most of them are hard working people who want to do the right thing."
The Cherokee Casino in Catoosa has armed and unarmed security guards on patrol at all times, as well as plain-clothed loss prevention officers. In addition to manpower, nearly 800 security cameras survey every inch of the casino, making it nearly impossible for customers or employees to be dishonest. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service investigates every allegation of criminal activity and offenders are charged with federal violations since offenses that take place inside the casinos occur on Indian land.
According to Frazier, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service has arrested between 15 to 20 casino employees for similar activities.
"That’s not abnormally high for an organization that large that deals with large amounts of money," Frazier said.
"In a casino environment, there will be some employees that break the rules," said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises. "The good news is that between our security and surveillance department and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service these employees won’t get away with it."
Frazier added that no casino customer lost money in Waller’s embezzlement scheme. The money he took was simply revenue for the casino.
Waller is currently out on bail and awaiting sentencing.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |