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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003

The Seminole Nation's businesses have come under the investigation of a grand jury, The Daily Oklahoman reported.

The paper said the probe targets the tribe's Seminole Nation Development Authority, its director, Qazi Alam, and an investor with a criminal past named Ivy Ong. Authorities have Ong under surveillance, the paper added.

Ong said he isn't a target but Alam's attorney, Doug Dry, a Choctaw Nation tribal member, said that Alam received a letter stating Alam was. Alam says in a written statement to the Oklahoman that he has not been contacted any further.

Ong told the paper he made $18 million in the past three years off the Seminole's casinos.

Ong pleaded guilty in 1996 to two federal misdemeanor counts for a counterfeit baby-formula scheme. He is reportedly helping the Shinnecock Nation of New York with a casino venture.

Get the Story:
Tribe faces grand jury investigation (The Daily Oklahoman 2/23)
Controversies follow developer (The Daily Oklahoman 2/23)

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Prospect of casino sets off buying flurry (02/03)
Power to close tribal casinos is upheld (01/06)
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