Tribe to seek extension in casino investigation

Monday, Aug. 29, 2005 | 9:36 a.m.

PAWHUSKA, Okla. -- The Osage Nation, facing an investigation by the National Indian Gaming Commission, plans to request an extension to gather documents related to accusations of improper operational procedures, tribal officials said.

The gaming commission notified the tribe earlier this month about the investigation into allegations that a management company is running the tribe's four casinos without the commission's consent.

Officials said Sunday was the deadline for the tribe send the commission documents including reports and memos originating from management company K_&D Gaming, casino accounting records, e-mail exchanges between the management company and tribal officials, and bank records relating to the tribe's gaming operations.

Osage tribal officials said the extension request should be considered because of the extent of paperwork requested. The requested documents date back to January 2004.

National Indian Gaming Commission representatives said the process for granting an extension is examined on a case-by-case scenario.

NIGC spokesman Sean Pensoneau said the gaming commission considers all aspects of document requests in its notifications.

"We understand there is a process for gathering the material ... we have to consider where they're at in the process," Pensoneau said.