MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Federal prosecutors continued to present their case Thursday against a former Choctaw Nation official accused of accepting outlandish gifts from vendors in exchange for casino construction contracts.
Jason Merida, the Choctaw Nation’s now former Executive Director of Construction Administration, was arraigned earlier this year on one count each of theft, tax fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from activities between 2008 and 2010 while construction efforts were underway at the tribe’s casinos in Durant and Pocola.
Lauri Parsons, a former executive with Builders Steel Corporation, testified Thursday morning that the Tulsa-based company lavished gifts on Merida in an effort to secure favorable contracts with the tribe.
Among the purchases made by the company for Merida and his wife were $30,000 in Louis Vuitton accessories, a brand new 2009 Cadillac Escalade, airfare for three hunting trips in two states, a golf weekend at Pebble Beach, Calif., a $7,300 shopping spree at a Dallas Cabela’s for hunting gear, an all-terrain vehicle, transportation to a Dallas Cowboys playoff game and a birthday junket at an exclusive condo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
On top of the gifts, Parsons testified that the company made regular donations to events hosted by campaigns for former Choctaw Nation Chief Greg Pyle and its current chief, Greg Batton, including high dollar silent auction items that its officials would in turn buy back at several times more than the suggested retail value, including bidding $50,000 to have a private dinner with Batton and Pyle in an upscale Tulsa steakhouse.
“Those were just things that were expected when you did business with the Choctaw Nation,” Parsons said.
Parsons, along with her husband Brent and four others from Flintco and Scott Rice, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit theft or bribery. In exchange for their testimony and cooperation, the six could see their sentences reduced. The maximum penalty for each count is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Two conspirators also pleaded guilty to money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Batton and Pyle are among the witnesses subpoenaed to testify during the trial. Neither has taken the stand yet but are expected to be called as the proceedings enter their second week. During Thursday’s session, Parsons testified that Batton participated in at least one hunting trip and a Cabela’s shopping spree that were funded by her company.