Former Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger recently pleaded not guilty to a federal bribery charge in connection with work he performed for Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town Economic Development Authority Board, where he served as chairman between September 2017 and December 2018.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or both. Magistrate Kimberly West set a trial date of October 1. Meanwhile Tiger was allowed to remain out of jail without posting bond.
Tiger was elected Muscogee (Creek) Nation principal chief in 2011 and lost reelection in 2015 to James Floyd. Currently he’s one of 10 candidates running for principal chief; Floyd is not seeking re-election. The primary election will be held September 21.
A superseding indictment filed in another federal case in the same district names Aaron Dewayne Terry and Christina Rochelle Anglin, who had ties to the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Ton organization. They already faced a 12-count indictment accusing Terry of nine counts of theft of tribal funds and one count each of conspiracy to commit theft of tribal funds or bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Anglin faces charges of theft of tribal funds, conspiracy to commit theft or bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
In the superseding indictment, Terry also faced additional charges of theft of tribal funds, bribery concerning tribal programs receiving federal funds and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Terry held various management and control positions in Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town-owned companies; Anglin was controller/chief financial officer for the tribe, according to court records.
The superseding indictment alleges Terry and others provided money and other things of value to the “Chairman of the Economic Development Authority Board of AQTT (hereinafter referred to as ‘G.T.’) to influence and reward G.T. for the awarding of contracts and the purchase of land to be put in trust for potential casino operations.” The superseding indictment also alleges Terry was involved in the payment of about $100,000 and other goods to “G.T.” between 2017 and January 2019.
The Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town is a federally recognized tribe located in Oklahoma but with roots in the southeastern U.S. Its 350 members have dual citizenship as Muscogee (Creek) tribal members.
