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At the February 2011 regular monthly meeting it was noted that the Accounting
Specialist’s report included a problem with the submission of tax forms for the
early paychecks issued for FY2007. This is not the first time that payroll & taxes
were identified as a problem. Last month, Chairman Wiggins was asked about
the completion of the remodeling of the Lodge as the Council previously
approved a contractor to complete the project. Chairman Wiggins explained that
the project never happened because of the lack of funds resulting from
$453,000 of back taxes & back unemployment insurance that the Tribe had to
pay off for FY2007. The Treasurer corrected Chairman Wiggins and informed
him that this amount was for FY2009. She further stated that it is expected that
the Tribe will be paying much more to the IRS after they (IRS) are finished.
Last year, Chairman Wiggins reported that the IRS was investigating the books
at the Casino. We were informed that IRS agents made several visits, however,
we have yet to be informed of the outcome of those visits. From the Treasurer’s
comment and the Accounting Specialist’s concerns over the filing of tax forms
for FY2007’s early paychecks, it appears that their investigation is still on-going.
The problems surrounding non-repayment for the early paychecks issued, the
IRS investigation and the non-payments for the unemployment insurance,
continue to plague the Tribe. If FY2006 was the worst year for the violations of
Tribal policies regarding the issuance & non-repayment of the early/extra
paychecks, how much have we been ripped off? What corrective action has
been taken? To date the administration refuses to even acknowledge or
comment on this matter.
We discussed the flagrant transfers of Enterprise revenues. Now let’s shine our
little light on those transfers:
We need to take a serious look at the lack of internal controls regarding our
fiscal mismanagement. What, if anything, are our elected public servants doing
to rectify this cancerous atrocity? This past Tribal Council meeting, Chairman
Wiggins proudly announced that he finally had the overdue financial reports
and he smugly pointed out that the person who so adamantly requested them
was not in attendance. As it turned out, conveniently, the August 2010 &
September 2010 were still “unavailable“. However, without those previous month’
s numbers, miraculously, the October 2010 Casino financial report was
presented, along with November‘s and December‘s. As the Tribal November
2010 report was reviewed, it was noted that it was an exact replica of the
October report, needless to say, those financials had to be tabled once again!
One other contentious observation concerning the transfers of revenues, it was
reported that our total Casino Complex revenue for the month of November was
$1,023,141.88. The reported amount transferred from the revenue to the
General Account was $907,337.64. This left our entire Casino Complex to thrive
on a meager crumb of $115,804.24, while our Casino‘s monthly expenses
totaled $691,547.29! Something is terribly wrong here. If this doesn’t raise an
eyebrow, then I don’t know what will. We’ve been talking about this for quite a
while now, we are at a revolutionary crossroads. We cannot afford to continue
down this rocky path we’ve been traveling. We as a people, the true leaders of
Democracy, must seek & find that inner Sheppard and make our history. But,
we must proceed through educated vision, and keep in mind, the history we
make will shape the future of our children of tomorrow. Remember the
Revolution begins within you. We, as the caretakers of the future & the
Shareholders of all Tribal enterprises, need to become informed and demand
accountability from our public servants. Until that happens Braves, we’ll
continue to ask, “Where’s the Money?” ....
Specialist’s report included a problem with the submission of tax forms for the
early paychecks issued for FY2007. This is not the first time that payroll & taxes
were identified as a problem. Last month, Chairman Wiggins was asked about
the completion of the remodeling of the Lodge as the Council previously
approved a contractor to complete the project. Chairman Wiggins explained that
the project never happened because of the lack of funds resulting from
$453,000 of back taxes & back unemployment insurance that the Tribe had to
pay off for FY2007. The Treasurer corrected Chairman Wiggins and informed
him that this amount was for FY2009. She further stated that it is expected that
the Tribe will be paying much more to the IRS after they (IRS) are finished.
Last year, Chairman Wiggins reported that the IRS was investigating the books
at the Casino. We were informed that IRS agents made several visits, however,
we have yet to be informed of the outcome of those visits. From the Treasurer’s
comment and the Accounting Specialist’s concerns over the filing of tax forms
for FY2007’s early paychecks, it appears that their investigation is still on-going.
The problems surrounding non-repayment for the early paychecks issued, the
IRS investigation and the non-payments for the unemployment insurance,
continue to plague the Tribe. If FY2006 was the worst year for the violations of
Tribal policies regarding the issuance & non-repayment of the early/extra
paychecks, how much have we been ripped off? What corrective action has
been taken? To date the administration refuses to even acknowledge or
comment on this matter.
We discussed the flagrant transfers of Enterprise revenues. Now let’s shine our
little light on those transfers:
- FY2005: $13,163,624 (p.11 FY05 audit)
FY2006: $ 3,818,218 (p.15 FY06 audit)
FY2007: $ 4,278,853 (p.15 FY07 audit)
FY2008: $ 4,633,046 (p.15 FY08 audit)
FY2009: $ 3,806,990 (p.15 FY09 audit)
We need to take a serious look at the lack of internal controls regarding our
fiscal mismanagement. What, if anything, are our elected public servants doing
to rectify this cancerous atrocity? This past Tribal Council meeting, Chairman
Wiggins proudly announced that he finally had the overdue financial reports
and he smugly pointed out that the person who so adamantly requested them
was not in attendance. As it turned out, conveniently, the August 2010 &
September 2010 were still “unavailable“. However, without those previous month’
s numbers, miraculously, the October 2010 Casino financial report was
presented, along with November‘s and December‘s. As the Tribal November
2010 report was reviewed, it was noted that it was an exact replica of the
October report, needless to say, those financials had to be tabled once again!
One other contentious observation concerning the transfers of revenues, it was
reported that our total Casino Complex revenue for the month of November was
$1,023,141.88. The reported amount transferred from the revenue to the
General Account was $907,337.64. This left our entire Casino Complex to thrive
on a meager crumb of $115,804.24, while our Casino‘s monthly expenses
totaled $691,547.29! Something is terribly wrong here. If this doesn’t raise an
eyebrow, then I don’t know what will. We’ve been talking about this for quite a
while now, we are at a revolutionary crossroads. We cannot afford to continue
down this rocky path we’ve been traveling. We as a people, the true leaders of
Democracy, must seek & find that inner Sheppard and make our history. But,
we must proceed through educated vision, and keep in mind, the history we
make will shape the future of our children of tomorrow. Remember the
Revolution begins within you. We, as the caretakers of the future & the
Shareholders of all Tribal enterprises, need to become informed and demand
accountability from our public servants. Until that happens Braves, we’ll
continue to ask, “Where’s the Money?” ....
Update: Payroll Administration