Police Probe Shooting Incident at Coushatta Tribe Chairman’s Residence
Law enforcement officials in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, are examining a reported shooting near the home of David Sickey, the chairman of the Coushatta Tribe. The incident took place late Sunday night at around 11:15 PM.
It was reported that a bullet penetrated a window at the residence where Sickey’s child was present. Fortunately, there were no injuries resulting from the shooting.
Return of the Tribal Chairman
Following a period of leadership transition, David Sickey has been reinstated as the chairman of the Coushatta Tribe in 2024, succeeding Jonathan Cernek, who stepped down amid controversy. Sickey previously served from 2017 to 2021, steering the tribe through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and various natural disasters.
The tribe operates several key enterprises, including the well-known Coushatta Casino Resort, which remains a significant economic driver for the community.
Community-Driven Leadership
In a recent election, tribe members expressed their support for Sickey’s leadership by re-electing him as chairman. His campaign focused on fostering unity within the community and increasing members’ influence in decision-making processes.
He has pledged to begin fulfilling his commitments immediately upon taking office and is scheduled to be officially sworn in as Chairman-elect on June 11th.
Throughout his campaign, Sickey emphasized the value of collaborative governance and transparency, stating, “This victory belongs to our entire community. Tonight, tribal members chose collaborative leadership, transparency, and a government that truly serves its people. I am deeply honored by their trust and ready to get to work immediately.”
Investigation into Financial Misconduct
Meanwhile, former chairman Jonathan Cernek is under investigation by federal authorities over alleged financial irregularities. Documents presented to the Coushatta Tribal Council last year, which date back to 2023, outline accusations against Cernek.
These documents were compiled by former general manager and chief financial officer Tod Stewart and include evidence such as delivery invoices sent to Cernek’s personal residence.
Additionally, Paula Corlis, a purchasing manager at a Tribe venue, has reported that after her departure, a letter accusing her of non-cooperation in the investigation was sent to the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission. This resulted in her gaming license being suspended.
Corlis expressed her frustration about the situation, saying, “They had to investigate without me. Nobody ever asked me anything from the [Coushatta Tribal Gaming] Commission. I don’t know how much more I could cooperate.”
A representative from the casino noted that her termination was due to breaches of security protocols. Corlis, however, suspects her dismissal was linked to her failure to notify security during an unexpected visit by Cernek, who had apologized to tribal elders and acknowledged causing harm to those close to him despite her 30 years of service at the casino.
