Public Relations

Chitimacha Tribe's casino manager denies allegations of theft

Friday, February 19, 2016

Anthony Patrone worked for the Chitimacha Tribe for two years and four months. Image from LinkedIn

The general manager of the casino owned by the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana is denying allegations that he stole from his employer.

Anthony Patrone is accused of manipulating the computer system at the Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in order to give a $5,700 payout to a former employee. His attorney issued a statement "emphatically" denying that any wrongdoing took place.

"Someone of Anthony's stature and success would have no reason to steal $5700, or any amount of money for that matter, and it will be plainly shown by evidence that his actions were transparent and known to many individuals," Donald Washington, a former U.S. Attorney, said in a statement to KATC-TV.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Patrone worked at Cypress Bayou for a little over two years. Prior to that, he worked in gaming positions for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut.

Monte Spivey, the chief financial officer at the Cypress Bayou, is also accused of taking part in the crime. The tribe has put interim leadership in place while it looks for replacements.

Get the Story:
Casino manager's attorney says he didn't steal a dime (KATC 2/18)
Casino officials charged (The Daily Iberian 2/19)