Audit reveals millions misspent by tribal legislator
Man behind inquiry comes under scrutiny.
Audit reveals millions misspent by tribal legislator
Published: June 25, 2008
CONCHO — A Cheyenne and Arapaho legislator improperly diverted $8.8 million to a bank account he controlled, a federal audit shows.
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What the audit found
The National Indian Gaming Commission regulates casinos owned by American Indian tribes. The Cheyenne and Arapaho audit, released in late May, covers fiscal years 2006 and 2007. Among its findings:
•The two tribes received $26.6 million in 2006 and $26.8 million in 2007 from their three casinos. The vast majority came from the tribes' Lucky Star casinos at Concho and Clinton.
•The tribes' Feather Warrior casino at Watonga had no formal policy for distributing revenue. As a result, the casino made sporadic distributions to the tribes, ranging from $75,000 to $500,000.
An attorney hired by the tribes' legislative branch was paid $127,296.74 directly from one of the two Lucky Star casinos. The tribes' constitution allows the governor to negotiate and sign attorney contracts. Because Flyingman never signed the contract, the attorney payments were improper, auditors said.
The former tribal council coordinator made unauthorized credit card purchases totaling $4,030 and kept the merchandise for his own use.
Flyingman said the former employee, David Bearshield, faces criminal charges in tribal court over the purchases, which Flyingman said included a lawn mower and a vacuum cleaner.
"He's on the run,” Flyingman said, adding that Bearshield's last known location was in Montana.
Power feud to blame?
A power struggle between Flyingman and a majority of the tribes' eight legislators caused a nearly two-year governmental stalemate.
A separate audit, ordered by the tribes' court system, is due for release in August. That one, performed by a public accounting firm, focuses on actions involving the Lucky Star's former management company, Southwest Casino and Hotel Corp.


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It costs almost $25,000 a semester so he has to find funds available through other scholarships and grants or student loans. It has been very difficult lately to keep him going to school with only 1 more year to go. Not all Native Tribes pay the same for college.
American Indians have a WHOLE different life and world and way of life, thoughts and culture that you don't know about. They are different but not bad.