Published on: September 25, 2025, 10:54 AM.
Updated on: September 25, 2025, 11:13 AM.
- NIGC calls for the suspension of Coushatta Casino consultant Todd Stewart
- Audit uncovers $100K in unaccounted credit card expenses in 2024
- Investigations into $350K fraud claims by federal and tribal authorities continue
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has instructed the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission (CTGC) to sever ties with Todd Stewart, a former general manager at its Louisiana casino, due to failure to report suspected financial fraud.
The federal agency has mandated that the commission suspend the gaming license of Todd Stewart, who is presently serving as a consultant for the Coushatta Casino in Kinder, Louisiana, which is recognized as the state’s largest gaming facility, as reported by The Louisiana Illuminator.
Possible Credit Card Misuse?
This directive follows a complaint lodged with the NIGC last year which accused Jonathan Cernek, the former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, of misappropriating gaming funds, a claim further substantiated by an independent audit.
The audit disclosed that tribal leaders did not monitor credit card usage adequately. Moreover, they were unable to provide receipts for purchases exceeding $100,000 during the two-month audit period of 2024.
Authorities, including the NIGC, FBI, and state officials, are investigating allegations that Cernek, along with potentially others, misused credit cards to misappropriate at least $350,000 from the tribe and its members, a story initially covered by Native News Online.
Cernek exited his position as chairman unexpectedly in August 2024, after serving for three years and two months of a four-year term, having been part of the tribal council for 11 years as both vice-chair and council member.
Funding for Expansion
In a letter to the tribe dated September 8, which was reviewed by The Illuminator, NIGC regional director Shawna Castellano indicated that her agency interviewed Stewart in June and found that he failed to “disclose suspected fraud to the external auditors during the [fiscal year] 2023 annual audit of the financial statements.”
Furthermore, he did not raise these issues with “the potential lender of a $150 million construction loan the Coushatta Casino was pursuing” until after the loan had been finalized, according to the NIGC.
In March 2024, Casino.org reported that the Coushatta Tribe was investing $150 million to enhance its Louisiana resort, which would introduce 204 additional hotel rooms and renovate the casino, eateries, and around 800 existing rooms.
The NIGC’s letter emphasized that Stewart was unclear about the number of credit cards associated with the casino’s accounts and seemed uncertain regarding who was actually utilizing them.
The NIGC has instructed the CTGC to issue a notification for a hearing regarding Stewart’s possible license revocation and to inform regulators of its determination within 45 days.