Casino employees suspended over advance pay

Brian Witte

Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000 | 9:30 a.m.

BISMARCK, N.D. - The Three Affiliated Tribes suspended 15 Four Bears Casino employees because they allegedly were taking too many pay advances, the tribal chairman said Monday.

Tex Hall said the casino allows employees to receive advanced pay up to three times a year. But he says some employees had done so more than 15 times.

An investigative audit is underway and should be finished by the end of next week, Hall said.

"And then we're going to find out to what degree and how much specifically and what was actually taken and who was responsible," he said in an interview after a meeting about gambling on North Dakota's Indian reservations.

The tribal council unanimously voted to suspend the employees as soon as members learned of the situation.

Hall took part in the vote last week by conference call from St. Paul, Minn., where he was attending the National Congress of American Indians annual meeting.

A manager is among the suspended, as are employees in accounting and personnel, Hall said.

The chairman emphasized that the suspensions have nothing to do with how gambling is conducted at the New Town casino.

About $212,000 was involved, Hall said.

No criminal charges have been filed, and Hall said he is unsure if charges will be brought.

"I can't make that call until the investigative auditor gives us all his information," Hall said. "If he does show information that there was criminal activity, I guess we're going to have to deal with it."

The casino is owned and operated by the Three Affiliated Tribes.

Hall said if those allegedly involved in the matter at the casino and lodge are cleared through the investigation, they will be able to return to work.

All 15 employees were suspended without pay. Hall also said if the investigation clears them of the allegations, their full pay will be reinstated retroactive to the day they were suspended.