In a development that has captured the attention of the casino industry, the FBI, alongside Louisiana State Police and the National Indian Gaming Commission, are delving into allegations that have sent ripples through the Coushatta Tribe. Reports suggest that key figures within the tribe, including its former chairperson, are accused of diverting substantial sums from tribal funds. This inquiry comes amid a significant period for the community as it embarks on a $150 million upgrade to its flagship Coushatta Casino Resort located in Kinder.

This ambitious project, which was spotlighted by Casino.org in March 2024, aims to introduce an additional 204 hotel rooms to the resort’s already impressive offering. The expansion is not just about adding more beds; it also encompasses aesthetic enhancements across the casino’s vast array of amenities which include restaurants and approximately 800 existing hotel rooms.

The Coushatta Casino Resort stands out as Louisiana’s premier gaming destination. With nearly 2,000 slot machines, over fifty live-dealer table games, a dedicated bingo hall, facilities for off-track parimutuel wagering, and a sportsbook, it draws considerable traffic from Texas due to its strategic location roughly 40 minutes northeast of Lake Charles.

The investigation into Jonathan Cernek, who resigned abruptly as chairperson of the Coushatta Tribe in August 2024 after serving on its Tribal Council for eight years prior to his chairmanship starting in 2021, marks a dramatic turn. According to Native News Online, Cernek allegedly misused casino credit cards for personal gain.

An anonymous source close to the investigation shared with Native News Online that Cernek was not acting independently; several other former members of the Tribal Council are also under scrutiny. Allegations point towards at least $350K being siphoned off through misuse of two casino credit cards – expenditures that were seemingly unconnected to either operational costs or ongoing expansions at the resort.

Since opening its doors in 1995, Coushatta Casino Resort has grown into a cornerstone of both Kinder and wider community life. Employing around 2,600 individuals, it boasts an extensive suite of amenities including eight eateries, ample meeting space spanning over 20K square feet, an outdoor pool complete with a lazy river feature, concert facilities capable of hosting up to 4K attendees—a RV park with capacity for 100 vehicles and an immaculate 18-hole golf course underscore its status as a comprehensive entertainment hub.

In accordance with its Class III gaming compact with Louisiana State authorities, Coushatta Tribe commits annually $7 million to local government bodies in Allen Parish and Elton town as part of their agreement allowing slot machine and table game operations.

However, this case isn’t isolated within tribal gaming’s broader narrative. It follows previous scandals such as former Mashpee Wampanoag Chair Cedric Cromwell’s conviction on bribery and extortion charges three years ago linked to his tribe’s planned casino resort in Taunton. Similarly entangled legal challenges continue against John Berrey—ex-chairman of Quapaw Nation—for alleged financial misappropriations during his tenure overseeing Downstream Casino Resort and Quapaw Casino operations.

As this story develops further details regarding internal audits and potential repercussions will be keenly observed by industry stakeholders eager for resolutions that uphold integrity within tribal gaming operations.