Department of Justice

United States Attorney John C. Richter

Western District of Oklahoma

January 29, 2008

CALUMET WOMAN CONVICTED OF CONSPIRACY AND EMBEZZLEMENT OF TRIBAL CASINO FUND

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – John C. Richter, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, announced today that RENEE ISLAND (a/k/a Renee Rishel), 42, of Calumet, Oklahoma, was convicted by a jury of conspiracy and embezzlement of Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribal funds derived from the Lucky Star Casinos.

        Evidence at trial showed that Southwest Casino and Hotel Corporation formerly operated the Lucky Star Casinos in both Concho and Clinton for a management fee of 20% of net gaming revenues with the remaining monies distributed to the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes for use as set forth in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.  Island was employed by the Cheyenne-Arapaho A-2 District as the secretary to Robert Tabor, the Arapaho District A-2 elected representative and Chairman of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Business Committee. 

        The evidence showed that Island conspired with unnamed co-conspirators to embezzle net gaming revenues generated by the Lucky Star Casinos by directing checks drawn on tribal accounts to be transferred via Western Union to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, for her own benefit and the benefit of others.  Evidence showed five separate transfers totaling $15,900 of tribal funds were embezzled between January and September 2003.

        The trial lasted three and a half days and the jury deliberated for approximately four and a half hours before finding Island guilty of one count of conspiracy and five counts of embezzlement. 

At sentencing, Island faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled by the Court within approximately 90 days,

        The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Robinson.;