A former manager for a tribal gaming company has been sentenced after pleading guilt to theft and tax fraud.

36-year-old Michael Anthony Houser has been sentenced to a total of 106 months in prison for one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of tax fraud. In addition, he must pay $17,337,949.50 in restitution to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and $8,205,834.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Houser pled guilty to the charges levelled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma on February 20, 2025. An investigation by the FBI has revealed that the Oklahoma resident embezzled and obtained fraud property while working as a manager for the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises.

“I am proud of the work conducted by our special agents in this case to ensure that justice was brought to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Kyle Smith at the Oklahoma Field Office. “The US Secret Service at its origin was created to identify, monitor and bring to justice those who seek to defraud.

“Protecting our communities here in Oklahoma is a mission we take very seriously, and I am grateful for the strong partnership we share with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation as we work together to bring fraudsters to justice.”

From theft to tax fraud

In doing so, Houser went on to embezzle $24,907,436.07 between July 2016 and February 2024, made up of funds owned by and under the control of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and its agencies, all of which are program that were receiving federal funds. This led to the theft charge.

In addition, Houser didn’t disclose the stolen funds as taxable income, leading to the second charge of tax fraud. In the 2022 tax year, Houser failed to report $7,851,027,28 in income, with his fraudulent tax filings amounting to $8,205,834.00.

“Stealing from the community you are entrusted to serve is a serious betrayal,” said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., Special Agent in Charge at the IRS Criminal Investigation Dallas Field Office. “Mr. Houser’s crimes harmed the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and undermined trust in public and tribal institutions.

“By stealing from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and falsifying his tax return, Mr. Houser not only defrauded his employer but also the American public. The women and men of IRS-CI are proud to have worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service and the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to uncover this fraud and hold Mr Houser accountable for his crimes.”

Being cash-based business, tribal gambling companies have formed the backdrop of tax fraud before, as with this case with the Mashpee tribe.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.5

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