The leader of the committee that accused leaders of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma of "personally and unjustifiably" profiting from the tribe's casino is recanting a report that contained the allegations.

John Rader, the chairman of the Quapaw Grievance Committee, put his name on the report that was made public last month. But now he says he didn't understand what he was signing.

Chairman John Berrey, Vice Chairman J.R. Matthews and Treasurer George “Ranny” McWatters serve on the Downstream Development Authority, the entity that manages the Downstream Casino Resort. The grievance committee report said the three leaders gave themselves large salaries and substantial bonuses and used tribal funds for personal expenditures and trips.

Rader said the grievance committee lacked authority to investigate tribal gaming issues.

Get the Story:
Quapaw Grievance Committee chair recants resolution signature (The Native American Times 4/7)

Relevant Documents:
Grievance Committee Report (March 20, 2010)

Earlier Stories:
Opinion: Quapaw chairman manipulates tribal regulations (4/7)
Quapaw chairman won't call meeting over gaming report (4/2)
BIA not involved in gaming dispute within Quapaw Tribe (3/31)
BIA asks Quapaw leaders to answer to casino allegations (3/30)
Quapaw chairman dismisses allegations in gaming report (3/29)
Quapaw leaders accused of wrongly profiting from casino (3/23)