Published on: March 6, 2026, 05:49h.
Updated on: March 6, 2026, 05:49h.
- Kiowa leaders decisively impeach Chairman SpottedBird over alleged financial irregularities
- Controversial trip to South Korea associated with Good News Mission faces examination
- Impeachment centered on casino oversight conflicts and $300K trustee stipends
The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma has officially impeached its chairman after tribal legislators discovered he misallocated tribal funds and mismanaged casino finances.
On March 2, the Kiowa Tribe Legislature unanimously voted to remove Chairman Lawrence SpottedBird following a public session in Lawton, Oklahoma. This decision also prohibits him from holding any tribal office for four years, as reported by KSWO. Lawmakers presented seven allegations, primarily concerning supposed financial mismanagement or breaches of tribal law.
The tribe operates four casinos in southwestern Oklahoma, which includes the Kiowa Casino & Hotel located in Devol, near the Texas border.
Mixed Signals: Good News/Bad News
One of the more surprising aspects of the impeachment revolved around a trip to South Korea in 2024 undertaken by SpottedBird and his wife, where they met members of the Good News Mission, a religious organization regarded as controversial and labeled a cult by critics.
This visit took place amid the prosecution of Park’s daughter in South Korea, who would later be convicted of child abuse leading to death, according to NonDoc, an independent investigative news organization based in Oklahoma. It remains uncertain if Kiowa officials were aware of this case before attending the event.
SpottedBird is a board member of the non-profit Indigenous Leaders of North America Inc (ILNA), which, despite its title, is connected to the Good News Mission. Records reviewed by NonDoc indicate that ILNA charged the tribe $1,200 for attending one meeting and an additional $3,900 for a subsequent event in 2025.
Casino Financial Transactions
The impeachment proceedings prominently featured the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority (KCOA), which manages the tribe’s gaming activities. Lawmakers accused SpottedBird of approving over $300,000 in stipends to KCOA trustees that were allegedly unapproved, and failing to rectify this issue.
This situation garnered the attention of federal authorities. The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) issued a concern letter to the tribe in November 2023, warning that the trustee remuneration could jeopardize the tribe’s compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Legislators also claimed that SpottedBird authorized donations and sponsorships through casino operations without proper authorization from the tribal budget, as noted by KSWO.
Additional accusations included a $50,000 payment labeled as an investment in a business endeavor that lacked a written agreement or formal contract, as well as personal expenditures incorrectly charged to tribal accounts—including travel and purchases made by the chairman’s spouse.
SpottedBird, who began his tenure as chairman in July 2022, expressed disagreement with the impeachment decision but stated he would uphold it. He criticized the impeachment process, claiming the legislature acted as both judge and jury, as reported by NonDoc.
Following the vote, Vice Chairman David Sullivan was sworn in as the new chairman. SpottedBird mentioned his intent to support Sullivan during the transition period.