Seminole Tribe taking steps to respond to NIGC notice of violation

Monday, August 2, 2010  

The Seminole Tribe of Florida says it is responding to a National Indian Gaming Commission violation report.

The notice of violation NOV) listed six violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The NIGC said the tribe used gaming revenues in ways that were outside the scope of its federally approved revenue allocation plan.

Tribal members who received improper payments have made restitution to the tribe, spokesperson Gary Bitner said in a statement to The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Some have set up payment plans, the tribe said.

Bitner also said the tribe is cooperating with a federal investigation into "fake billing" after discovering altered invoices. The tribe made between $2 million and $3 million in payments in an "invoice-switching practice," Bitner said.

Get the Story:
Federal investigators scrutinizing more than $2 million in fake invoices at Seminole tribe (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 7/31)

Relevant Documents:
Notice of Violation to Seminole Tribe (June 3, 2010)

Related Stories:
Seminole council member in NIGC violation report resigns post (7/1)
Law Article: NIGC and IRS put casino revenue under scrutiny (6/16)
NIGC accuses Seminole Tribe of misusing gaming revenues (6/4)