UPDATED: La. State Police arrest Chitimacha chairman

In January, the Louisiana State Police Indian Gaming Unit (Cypress Bayou Field Office) received a criminal complaint regarding Cypress Bayou Casino’s General Manager Anthony Patrone and Chief Financial Officer Montie Spivey. The complaint also involved Chitimacha Tribal Chairman O’Neal Darden Jr., according to state police officials.
The complaint alleged the manipulation of the casino’s employee and payroll databases that resulted in Darden receiving a several thousand dollar annual bonus that he was not entitled to. The scheme wasreportedly facilitated by Patrone and Spivey. They instructed the casino’s human resources department to reactivate Darden, who was no longer an employee of the casino, in the employee database to give the appearance that he qualified for an annual bonus. Once Darden was shown as an active employee in the database, Patrone and Spivey allegedly directed the accounting department to electronically transfer the bonus money into Darden’s personal checking account.
A follow-up investigation by state police Investigators resulted in the arrests of both Patrone and Spivey on the charges of felony theft, computer fraud, and obstruction of justice. Patrone and Spivey were both booked into the St. Mary Parish Detention Facility in February 2016. Additionally, an arrest warrant was secured for Darden on the charge of felony theft. Darden's arrest was postponed due to the Tribal-State Compact procedural requirements pertaining to arresting enrolled tribal members.
In subsequent discussions with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Chitimacha Tribe, it was decided that the state would effectuate the arrest and prosecution of Darden. In a collaborative agreement between state police and the Chitimacha Tribe, Darden self-surrendered himself to state police Investigators on Monday, and was booked on felony theft charges at the St. Mary Parish Detention Facility.
Chitimacha officials released a statement earlier this morning.
“The charges stem from an investigation of unlawful conduct which also resulted in the previous arrests of the manager and CFO of the Tribe’s gaming operation on Feb. 17,” the release said. “The Chairman has been suspended by the tribal council from his duties since February pending the outcome of the state police investigation.”
The council, currently led by Vice-Chairman April Wyatt, says, “As required by law in the tribal state compact, this matter was subject to an independent investigation by the Louisiana State Police Indian Gaming Unit. As also required in the compact, the matter was referred to the United States Attorney’s Office and state authorities for review and will now be handled by the state for future procedures as required by applicable law.
“The Chitimacha Tribe, including its gaming commission, acted quickly and prudently in dealing with this highly sensitive matter. It commenced immediate steps to assure that the absolute integrity of its operations was and is maintained. Due to the ongoing investigation, the tribal council was required and directed that a comprehensive examination of all financial transactions of both tribal government and the Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel records be conducted by independent forensic audit specialists. This audit confirmed that this is an isolated event and did not reveal any other improper actions or transactions. The tribal gaming operations have not been affected by these arrests in any way.”