Last year the Apache Nugget Travel Center and Casino, operated by the Jicarilla Apache Nation in New Mexico, took a $2 million loss. Some tribal members want to hold their leaders to account—they are collecting names on a petition to oust the official responsible.
According to a report by the Rio Grande Sun, an independent audit uncovered the unauthorized spending and embezzlement. The activities were traced to the former chief financial officer, Chad Eaton, who is now the tribal comptroller. On his watch the casino lost $1.3 million from its cash balances and $744,792 from casino profits.
The audit was held at the insistence of the casino’s board after the tribal gaming commission refused to order one. Eaton’s sister chairs the commission.
Besides trying to eject Eaton, some tribal members are also demanding the impeachment of President Levi Pesata, who hired Eaton, and Sheryl Vigil, Eaton’s mother, who serves on the tribal council.
