The Quapaw Nation Court recently charged former 20-year Quapaw Nation Chairman John Berrey and former Secretary Treasurer Tamara Smiley-Reeves with 18 criminal indictments, including attempted embezzlement, conspiracy, abuse of office and improper gifts to tribal officials or employees. Each indictment carries 3-year prison sentences and a $15,000 fine. The offenses allegedly occurred between April 2014 and July 2020. An initial court appearance is set for May 6.
Civil charges also were Jack Brill, Tena Smith, Janet Cummings, Sheri Smiley, Marilyn Rogers and George McWatters, who were employed by or involved in Berrey’s administration. They, along with Berrey and Smiley-Reeves, no longer work for the tribe.
Berrey stated, “The latest events are just more efforts to defame. It was posted the day filing for candidacy opened and it’s an attempt to stop me. I look forward to clearing my name and running for vice chairman of the Quapaw Nation and begin to heal our Nation.” Observers said it’s not clear if Berrey can run for tribal office now that he faces criminal charges.
In a recent Facebook post, Berrey noted, “I’m sick of the lies and manipulation and I will get the Bear money and make sure all Quapaw get money not the friends and family of the few!!!!” The “Bear money” is a settlement the tribe is expecting regarding a decades-long legal fight over mismanagement of trust land.
According to court documents, Downstream Development Authority, Saracen Development and the Quapaw tribe allege that Berrey, Smiley-Reeves and the others received salaries and bonuses of more than $7.3 million without approval from the Quapaw Business Committee, which determines such matters. More than $4 million was given as “success fees” from the DDA, which has since been dissolved.
Court documents also show some of the defendants took more than $10,000 from the casino cashier, received free meals and alcohol in excess of $100,000, spa treatments totaling more than $75,000 and that they made purchases of more than $50,000 on DDA credit cards. Berrey also is accused of taking artwork from the DDA. Innovative Gaming Solutions, an auditing firm based in Missouri, showed that Berrey independently received more than $17 million in bonuses.
In a statement, current Chairman Joseph Tali Byrd said, “While I’m saddened at the depths of criminality discovered, the Quapaw Nation is a nation of laws, and no one is above them. I’m pleased charges have been filed against these individuals, who will now face the consequences of their dishonesty and greed. For too long, the defendants treated the Quapaw Nation and its assets as a personal bank account and playground. The charges send a strong message that those days are over.”
Observers said many tribal members credit Berrey with creating economic opportunities for the Quapaw, including a new meat processing plant, three gas and convenience stores, a coffee roasting company and two casino resorts, the Downstream Casino Resort in Oklahoma and the recently opened Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. However, many note Berrey and a few select members of his administration made decisions without input from citizens or the Business Committee.
