FBI raids Choctaw Indian tribe's Pearl River Resort casinos

FBI raids Choctaw Indian tribe's Pearl River Resort casinos
The Birmingham News
NESHOBA COUNTY, Mississippi -- The FBI today raided two Mississippi casinos at the Choctaw Indian tribe's Pearl River Resort, the Jackson Clarion Ledger reports.

The two resorts were identified as the Silver Star Resort & Casino and the Golden Moon Hotel & Casino at Philadelphia, Mississippi. The FBI officials declined to discuss the raids, according to the newspaper.

The Neshoba Democrat reported the Choctaw Tribal Council discussed the raids in morning meeting after barring a reporter. However, statements by one tribal officials indicated the FBI may have targeted computer hard drives.

Resort officials issued a statement saying the resort remained in business but was cooperating with Justice Department officials. If offered no comment on the reasons for the FBI action.




Feds Raid Choctaw Casinos
DOJ Executes Search Warrant


PHILADELPHIA, Miss. -- Federal authorities were at the Golden Moon and Silver Star casinos at Pearl River Resort in Choctaw on Tuesday, 16 WAPT News has learned.

Representatives from the Department of Justice executed a search warrant, according to a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by Pearl River Resort CEO Maj. Gen. Paul Harvey, retired. The agents were seeking records and files, 16 WAPT News reported.

"The resort is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities in their investigation. There will be no interruption in the operation of business at the resort," Harvey said.

A spokesperson with Phyllis Anderson's office of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Council told the Meridian Star that several employees in the accounting offices had been sent home. Anderson told 16 WAPT News that she didn't have any details about the investigation, but called it unfortunate.

The Choctaw Tribal Council was told on Tuesday that an FBI investigation was under way at Pearl River Resort, the Neshoba Democrat reported.

Roger Anderson, who represents the Conehatta community on the Tribal Council, told 16 WAPT's Scott Simmons that he believes the investigation is financial in nature. He said there are too many questions about money regarding the casinos.

When contacted by 16 WAPT News, the FBI would neither confirm nor deny the investigation.