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February 18, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
Casino case sets legal precedent in Oregon Tribal Council minutes
By Tracy Dugan
A legal precedent has recently been set in the state of
Oregon concerning a trial between Spirit Mountain Casino
and a former employee.
Dong Ok Lee has been convicted of cheating the Casino
in Polk County Circuit Court in Dallas. Lee was employed
by Spirit Mountain as a dealer last year. During that time,
the Casino's surveillance team noticed some irregularities
in his dealing style and behavior, so he was placed under
observation.
One night he was observed "dumping the table" by the
surveillance employees, and was monitored on camera for
a period of three hours before the pit was closed down and
he and the customers at his table were questioned.
"Dumping the table" is a term used in casinos to describe
a dealer who is purposely altering the games to give the
customers an advantage over the house.
Lee admitted to cheating and was arrested by Oregon
State Police. The surveillance tapes showed him revealing
both of his blackjack cards to the players so they would
know how to bet, skipping players, and giving one person's
card to someone else. Lee had been receiving tips which
far and away exceeded the average gratuity amount a dealer
will earn on a typical shift. After Lee's arrest, the Polk
County D.A. received the evidence, and it was presented to
a grand jury who indicted him for felony theft.
The defense attorney argued that the blackjack chips that
were used in the theft had no monetary value above what it
costs to make them, which is about forty cents. Therefore,
Lee really didn't steal as much as the Casino claimed. But
the judge in the case ruled that casino chips are a symbol of
indebtedness, and therefore had a value equal to their face
value. (A $5 chip is worth $5, not the forty cents it costs to
make it.) The defense attorney also argued that when he
altered the play, Lee's actions didn't constitute theft, just
because he let the players win. They could have won any
way. But here, the judge said that because the Casino lost
the opportunity to win (in accordance with the predeter
mined odds in a typical game of blackjack), it was consid
ered theft. Because this was the first criminal action suit
involving a casino in Oregon, there was no prior case law
for the judge to rely on when making his decision. The judge
set a precedent in his ruling. Now there is a case in the
legal books other judges can use as guidance in their rul
ings if a similar case ever goes to trial.
The judge ordered Mr. Lee to serve 10 days in jail and
pay $3,000 in fines and court costs. He is on probation for
five years, and may not enter the premises of Spirit Moun
tain Casino during this time. He is also prohibited from
going to work at another casino in Oregon.
Joe Smith, Director of the Gaming Commission, said,
"Because of the sharing of information agreement we have
with the National Indian Gaming Association, chances are,
if Mr. Lee ever tries to apply for a job in any Indian Casino,
they will be advised of his conviction." In other words,
because he tried to steal from Spirit Mountain Casino, Dong
Ok Lee will probably be banned for life from the gaming
profession, even in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
The Casino has hired a top-notch group of security and
surveillance employees to guard against instances of theft
such as this. When these criminals are apprehended, it saves
the Tribe and its members money.
Wednesday, January 29, 1997
Ed Larsen, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 5 : 1 0
p.m. Kathryn Harrison was ill, and her absence was ex
cused. A quorum of eight members were present.
Linda Layden, Housing Program Manager for the Tribe,
made some recommendations to Council regarding changes
in the existing housing programs (see story, this page).
Patti Tom-Martin, a member of the Tribe's Health Com
mittee, made a recommendation to Council regarding three
vacant seats on the Committee, and who the members feel
would be best qualified to serve. A comment was made
from an attendee that no notice of vacancy was published
in Smoke Signals, so that all of our qualified tribal mem
bers would have a chance to apply to be on the Health Com
mittee if they desired. Council decided to publish a notice
in Smoke Signals (see page 5) before approving the three
members the Committee recommends.
Joe Smith, Director of the Gaming Commission, deliv
ered the Commission's Quarterly Report to Tribal Council.
Mike Larsen, Chairman of Spirit Mountain Board of Di
rectors, presented Council with the names of three people
the Board recommends to serve on SMDC BOD. Council
approved to appoint Len Bergstein, Clyde Hamstreet, and
Clyde Stryker to the Board of Directors.
Tribal member Michael Reibach, Director of Spirit House,
Inc., presented Council with documentation proving Spirit
House as being listed under Oregon's non-profit business
status. Currently Spirit House is providing shelter for nine
tribal people. Council requested some documentation de
tailing the budget and services Spirit House provides.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Changes made to some housing grant programs
The Tribal Council approved several changes recom
mended by the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority for
the repair and down payment grant programs operated by
the Authority and funded by the Tribe. The Emergency
Repair program grant amount is increased from $2,500 to
$3,000 to keep up with the rising costs of emergency repair
work. Income limits have been added at the same level as
the Major Rehabilitation program (there were no income
limits in 1996).
Major Rehabilitation can now be considered for homes
that were repaired prior to 1996 with BIA HIP funds and
still need major improvements. Tribal homeowners within
the Authority's ten county service area are encouraged to
call for information about the Major Rehabilitation program
if they need major home repairs.
The Down Payment program has added maximum an
nual gross household income limits of $65,000 (there was
no limit in 1996). This year 30 of the funds available for
this program are being targeted to applicants outside of the
ten county service area. This corresponds to the percent
age of those applicants currently on file. There is a long
waiting list for the Down Payment program at this time.
Tribal members may obtain information on these pro
grams by calling Bryan Langley at the Grand Ronde Tribal
Housing Authority at 879-2467 or toll free at 1-800-422-0232,
extension 2467.
Smoke Signals is a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community
of Oregon. We have established an Editorial Policy to encourage input from readers about
stories printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal issues. However, all letters must be
received at the newspaper office with author's signature, address, and phone number in order
to be considered for publication.
Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoke Signals reserves
the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any
part of a letter that may contain libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are
guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opin
ions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
Mail letters to: SMOKE SIGNALS, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
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Housing Authority recruits
Board Commissioner
N The Housing Authority is recruiting persons inter
ested in serving on the Board of Commissioners. Two
positions will expire as of March 28, 1997. The term
of office is three years. Both of these positions are
currently held by non-tribal members, and these two
positions are open to both tribal and non-tribal mem
bers. One of the two Commissioners is expected to
re-apply.
Anyone who is interested in serving on the Board
should have a demonstrated interest in housing and
experience in the housing field in some capacity such '
as: affordable housing development, property man
agement, residential building construction, housing
financing, housing planning, or other related areas.
There is a need at this time for someone in the bank
ing industry or business arena to balance the Board's
expertise.
The Board oversees all housing management and
operations for the Tribe, and is responsible for policy
making decisions. The Board meets approximately
every two weeks on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
Interested applicants should send a letter outlining
their interest and qualifications to:
Linda Layden, Director
Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
ALL LETTERS NEED TO BE RECEIVED BY
MARCH 3rd TO BE CONSIDERED.