Investigation Unfolds Over Financial and Security Concerns at Coushatta Casino
State Authorities Investigate Financial Irregularities at Coushatta Casino Resort
The Louisiana State Police have launched an investigation into potential financial misconduct at the Coushatta Casino Resort located in Kinder, Louisiana. This probe coincides with a recent violent incident involving gunfire at the residence of the tribe’s current leader.
Audit Raises Questions About Personal Spending by Former Casino Executives
The Gaming Enforcement Division of the state is actively looking into allegations of misuse of casino funds. These allegations center on former tribe leader Jonathan Cernek and two past employees, Todd Stewart and Paula Corliss. According to reports and an external audit coupled with confidential documents submitted to the Coushatta Tribal Council, it appears that a casino credit card may have been used for private expenses, including costs linked to the construction of Cernek’s home.
Cernek stepped down from his position in August 2024 without public explanation. Both Cernek and Stewart declined to respond to inquiries about the matter, whereas Corliss revealed that last year both FBI agents and Bureau of Indian Affairs officials questioned her regarding the casino’s finances. She noted that the state police have yet to contact her about their current investigation.
Federal agencies have refrained from confirming their involvement in the case, citing operational restrictions due to the ongoing government shutdown. Nonetheless, documentation from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) indicates that the federal regulator instructed the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission to review Todd Stewart’s gaming license in September. Shortly afterward, Stewart’s license was revoked. Paula Corliss’s gaming license was also suspended after she chose not to request a hearing to contest this action.
Gunfire Incident at Tribal Chairman’s Home Amid Financial Probe
Paula Corliss, who had a nearly 30-year tenure with the casino, asserts she was terminated for allowing Cernek to access her office after his resignation. A tribal spokesperson described the termination as lawful under “at will” employment policies, adding that Corliss had violated casino security protocols, though no further specifics were shared.
Last year, Todd Stewart informed tribal authorities about suspected fraudulent activities, indicating he delayed alerting auditors and lenders until after securing a substantial $150 million construction loan by which time corrective actions had allegedly been taken.
Amid the ongoing financial investigations, law enforcement and tribal officials are also addressing a concerning attack. Late on Sunday night, a bullet struck the home of David Sickey, the current tribal chairman. The projectile penetrated the bedroom of one of his children, who was asleep at the time, though fortunately, no injuries occurred.
The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Coushatta Tribal Police, and federal agencies are jointly investigating this shooting. The Sickey family resides near the town of Iowa, Louisiana, approximately 45 minutes from the tribe’s reservation.
The Coushatta Tribal Council recently held a meeting over the weekend, but officials have yet to disclose whether the casino investigation or the shooting incident were discussed.
