FBI allegedly examining previous Coushatta Tribal Chair, council members for potential misconduct
May 30, 2025 - 10:05h
Updated: May 30, 2025 - 10:47h
Former Coushatta Tribe Chair Under Investigation for Alleged Embezzlement
Officials from the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and National Indian Gaming Commission are examining claims that former tribal leaders of the Coushatta Tribe have misused funds during the $150 million expansion and renovation of the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder.
In March 2024, Casino.org announced the Coushatta Tribe's plans to invest $150 million in the resort, expanding its hotel offerings and upgrading its casino, restaurants, and approximately 800 rooms. The Coushatta Casino Resort, located about 40 minutes northeast of Lake Charles, is Louisiana's largest casino, with almost 2,000 slot machines, 55 live-dealer table games, a bingo room, and more.
An anonymous source informed Native News Online that the investigation focuses on former Chairman Jonathan Cernek, who stepped down unexpectedly in August 2024. Cernek, who spent eight years on the Coushatta Tribal Council before becoming chair in 2021, is said to have utilized two casino credit cards for personal expenses, totaling at least $350,000 and unrelated to the casino's operation or expansion.
While authorities have yet to share their findings publicly, the source suggested that Cernek was not the sole perpetrator of the alleged fraudulent activities. According to this unnamed insider, further tribal officials are being scrutinized as well.
Located near the border between Louisiana and Texas, the Coushatta Casino Resort creates a significant economic impact in the area, employing 2,600 people and offering amenities such as eight restaurants, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, a concert venue, an RV park, a golf course, and more.
The Coushatta Tribe's Class III gaming compact with the State of Louisiana requires annual payments of $7 million to the local governments of Allen Parish and Elton in exchange for gaming rights.
This Coushatta scandal is the latest in a series of such incidents in the tribal gaming industry, where financial misconduct has emerged as a persistent issue. Other cases involve former leaders such as Cedric Cromwell of the Mashpee Wampanoag, who faced bribery and extortion charges, and John Berrey of the Quapaw Nation, who is still fighting allegations of embezzlement.
[1] The FBI, Louisiana State Police, and National Indian Gaming Commission are investigating allegations of embezzlement involving former leaders of the Coushatta Tribe.[2] The investigation centers on the misuse of funds in connection with the Coushatta Casino Resort.[3] Jonathan Cernek, the former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, is reportedly being scrutinized for alleged improper use of casino funds totaling at least $350,000.
- The investigation on the Coushatta Tribe involves allegations of embezzlement, with officials from the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and National Indian Gaming Commission being at the forefront.
- The focus of this investigation revolves around the misuse of funds during the $150 million expansion and renovation of the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder.
- Jonathan Cernek, former Chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, is under investigation for utilizing casino funds worth at least $350,000 for personal expenses.
- Beyond Cernek, the investigation suggests that other tribal officials may also be involved in the alleged fraudulent activities.
- The Coushatta Casino Resort is Louisiana's largest casino, known for its 2,000 slot machines, live-dealer table games, bingo room, and approximately 800 rooms.
- The Coushatta Tribe's perceived financial misconduct is the latest instance in a persistent series of such incidents within the tribal gaming industry.
- Other such cases include the former leaders Cedric Cromwell of the Mashpee Wampanoag, facing bribery and extortion charges, and John Berrey of the Quapaw Nation, still fighting allegations of embezzlement.
